Happy Valley girls advance after tough home win against Cumberland Gap
Published 10:12 pm Friday, February 25, 2022
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Star Photo/Nic Miller Happy Valley's Marcida Moore checks the floor before driving into the lane during the second quarter.
Star Photo/Nic Miller Happy Valley's Kadie Bailey goes up on a defender in the paint during the third quarter.
Star Photo/Nic Miller Happy Valley's Kenzie Ramey drives into the lane early in the final quarter of play.
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BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
HAPPY VALLEY – After falling to South Greene in a heart breaker during the district championship game last week, the Happy Valley Lady Warriors had a chance to redeem themselves on Friday night in the quarterfinal round of the regional tournament against the Lady Panthers of Cumberland Gap.
Because they came in second place during the district tourney, the Lady Warriors still had home-court advantage for the Friday tilt, and it seemed to come in handy early in the contest.
It was a defensive first period, as the score held at a 5-5 deadlock for several minutes. However, several offensive spurts for both teams increased that line, giving Happy Valley an 11-10 advantage after one.
And where the first quarter was defensive, the second became physical, as it seemed that every few seconds a whistle was being blown to signify a foul.
And it was a physicality contest that the Lady Warriors were able to win in the second stanza, as Happy Valley was able to jump out to a sizeable lead before the Lady Panthers would come charging back. At the half, Happy Valley still retained their lead, 24-18 midway through.
The physicality would continue in the third period as things also began to get chippy between the teams and fans alike. However, the Lady Warriors would find a way to combat this by relying on Kadie Bailey in the paint – a gameplan that would prove to be fruitful as Happy Valley increased their lead to eight going into the final quarter, 34-26.
With many players now in foul trouble, the feel of the game changed from that of a physical one to a strategical one on the defensive end of the court during the final eight minutes.
And with some stellar defense by Happy Valley and an ocean of excitement from the crowd, the Lady Warriors were able to defend their lead and their home court, advancing to the region’s semifinal game by a final of 50-39.
In the win for the Lady Warriors, Holly Moore led her team to the win with 13 points, while Kenzie Ramey finished the night with 11. Bailey scored 10 points in the win.
For the Lady Panthers in the loss, Emrey Glover led the team with 14 points, while Abbie Fultz finished with 12 points.
The Lady Warriors will play in the regional semifinal on Monday night at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School against Gatlinburg-Pittman, a 73-36 victor over Chuckey Doak.
That game will take place at 7:30 p.m.
