“Playoffs?! Don’t talk about Playoffs!” This was the famous speech that Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Mora gave to the media after his team had gotten embarrassed by the 49ers in 2001. Twelve years later, all Macon County can talk about are Playoffs, and the Macon County Tigerettes are headed back to Mufreesburo to play for the Class AA State Championship! However, the road there wasn’t an easy one. The Tigerettes have played their best basketball of the season (so far) in these past few weeks.
The Tigerettes’ first game this week was against a very talented and very dangerous David Lipscomb Academy. Lipscomb, regarded by many to be one of the best teams in the state, showed early why they were given so much praise. Lipscomb could not only drive the lane well, but could also shoot the three-ball. After one quarter of play, Macon County had the lead 13-12. After the first, Lipscomb continued their earlier routine, scoring fifteen points. Macon County scored another thirteen, and it was Lipscomb ahead 27-26 at the half.
The second half was a rollercoaster for both teams. In the third, Macon County scored twenty points, while Lipscomb scored thirteen. Macon County had the lead 46-40 after three quarters. However, the roles reversed in the fourth quarter, as Lipscomb came out and surprised everyone by putting up twenty points. Macon County, however, would score fourteen points to keep the game tied at 60. The game was then headed into overtime.
In OT, neither team let up on defense. And, since neither team let up, both teams scored six points. The game was headed into a second overtime! The second OT was just as nail-biting as the first. Both teams fought fist to fist, toe to toe. However, late in the second overtime, Kelsey Gregory drove into the lane and was fouled. Gregory then went on to convert the two free throws to win the game for the Tigerettes 74-72 in one of the closest and most interesting games that Macon County has seen in a while.
Lipscomb had eleven three pointers in this game. Macon County had ten. The Tigerettes only had six players score, but four of the six were in double digits. The leader of the pack was Briley Driver, who had nineteen points. Kelsey Gregory was right behind her with eighteen. Terra Pryor scored sixteen. Each of these three young ladies had three three pointers each. Kailyn Brooks had eleven points. Leah Anderson had nine, and Lyndsey Belton had one.
Tigerettes vs. CPA
The Tigerettes’ next game was the Regional Championship against defending state champions CPA. The Tigerettes were all over CPA early, and that propelled the Tigerettes to a 47-33 victory. The Tigerettes looked very demanding in this victory.
The first quarter was all Macon County, as they scored thirteen points while holding the strong CPA offense to four. Both teams would come out in the second and score ten, though. The score at the half was Macon County 23, CPA 14. The game was close in the second half. Macon County would score twenty-four in the second half, while CPA scored nineteen. The Tigerettes would win the game 47-33 in a commanding victory.
Kailyn Brooks and Terra Pryor each scored thirteen points for the Tigerettes in this game. Kelsey Gregory and Leah Anderson scored seven each. Briley Driver scored six, and Whitney Wilburn scored one.
Tigerettes vs. Creekwood
In the Substate Championship, Macon County played Creekwood, a team that had plagued the Tigerettes in the regular season the past two years. However, the playoffs proved to be different for Macon County, as they trounced Creekwood 62-48 and earned themselves a spot in the State Championship!
The first half was all Macon County. Macon County scored twelve points in the first quarter and seventeen in the second. Creekwood, meanwhile, struggled with their shots. They only scored eight in the first and nine in the second. The score at the half was Macon County 29, Creekwood 17. The Tigerettes continued scoring big in the third and fourth quarter. Macon County scored fifteen in the third and eighteen in the fourth. Creekwood just couldn’t keep up with the Tigerettes. The final score was 62-48, and the celebration began!
Kailyn Brooks led the Tigerettes in scoring with 16. Leah Anderson was right behind her with . Terra Pryor had 12 points. Kelsey Gregory and Briley Driver had nine each. Kassidy Brooks had two.
The Tigerettes’ first State Championship game will be against Covington on Thursday, March 7th at 4 pm. If the Tigerettes lose, they go home. However, if they win, they will play the winner of the Cannon County-CAK game. Come out to MTSU and help the Tigerettes push their way to a State Championship!
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