GATLINBURG — A hot start in the consolation game in the Smoky Mountain Classic over the holiday break landed the Viqueens a third-place finish in the tournament as the Purple and Gold took down Beech, 48-43.
Community burst out of the gates and went for 15 in the opening quarter, with Haley Mitchell piling on six points early.
Four different Viqueens scored in the opening frame, including a trey by Anna Haskins.
Beech rallied in the second quarter and out-scored Community, 10-8, to cut the Viqueen advantage to 23-17 by halftime.
But in the third, it was M.J. Simmons who took control and was able to finish several shots while drawing contact as part of a 17-point third frame.
Simmons went for seven of her game-high 17 in the period, while Beech struggled to match the offensive pace with 14 more.
The Lady Buccaneers made it interesting in the fourth quarter by drawing several fouls of their own and cashing in at the free throw line.
As a team, the Lady Bucs knocked down 6-of-9 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter.
Still, Community mustered up just enough offense to preserve the five-point win and secure third place in the tournament.
After a busy week of tournament play in Gatlinburg, the Viqueens return to more familiar grounds and will face backyard rival Eagleville on Tuesday night.

Community 15 8 17 8 — 48
Beech 7 10 14 12 — 43

Community: M.J. Simmons 17, Zoey Dixon 10, Haley Mitchell 10, Anna Haskins 5, Addison Brothers 4, Shelby Cawthon 2.
Beech: Carson Sisk 12, Bailey Ford 10, Riley Long 9, Lily Dun 5, Kyrah Shaw 3, Loryn O’Neal 2, Kaitlyn Graham 2.
3-Point goals: Community (3): Dixon, Brothers, Haskins; Beech (3): Sisk 2, Dun.
Halftime score: Community 23, Beech 17.