Lionettes' run continues with AA state tournament berth

WOODBURY – Kristen Hale came off the bench to score 14 second-half points, and Cannon County converted free throws down the stretch, to earn another spot in the state tournament.

Hale connected on four 3-pointers in the second half to give the Lionettes the boost they needed to pull away from the Sequoyah 62-60 in the Class AA sectionals Monday night.

Cannon County (25-9) connected on 12 of 16 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter too.

It is the third straight year that Cannon County has earned a spot in the state tournament. It will play Martin Luther King (26-6) at 5:15 p.m. Thursday in MTSU's Murphy Center.

Usually a strong point for the Lionettes, they struggled from 3-point range in the first half, only connecting on 1 of 11 shots. Kendra Maynard had the lone 3-pointer, as Cannon County also uncharacteristically made 10 turnovers in the first half.

The Lionettes built an early six-point lead, 13-7, but the Lady Chiefs battled back and tied it. Cannon County continually gained a three- to four-point advantage throughout the first half, only to have Sequoyah battle back to square it. There were six ties in the first half and one lead change.

Sequoya had a 31-29 lead in the third quarter when Hale drilled her first shot. Her 3-pointer gave the Lionettes back the lead, 32-31.

"Coach (Michael) Dodgen told me to start shooting with confidence," Hale said. "I started doing that. I'm just glad I could do that for my team, they really needed it."

She hit three more 3-pointers to help Cannon County build its lead six twice but each time Sequoyah cut into Cannon County's lead.

"She made some daggers," Dodgen said. "She got us going and got the crowd back into it."

The Lady Chiefs were able to chip it down to one, 50-49, with 1:32 left. Hale connected on two free throws to put the lead back to three.

The Lady Chiefs resorted to fouling the rest of the game and the Lionettes clinched the win from the line. Cannon County also connected on 10 of 10 from the free-throw line in the first half.

"We shot free throws very well to help us," Dodgen said. "When you're able to do that you're going to win ball games in crunch time, and this is crunch time."

The Lionettes struggled with some close district losses throughout the season, but have turned their season around by winning the region tournament and making it back to the state tournament.

"What can you say about a team that nobody counted in?" Dodgen said. "They've battled for about two-and-a-half weeks. I'm so proud of them."

Cannon County 62, Sequoyah 60

Sequoyah 10 11 14 15 -- 60

Cannon Co. 13 12 15 22 -- 62

Sequoyah: Emily Ingram 14, Madi Haynes 10, Haley Isbill 9, Laura Whited 9, Emilee Harrell 8, Savana Atchley 8, Lynsey Miller 2.

Cannon County: Kristen Hale 14, Autumn King 13, Kelli Davis 12, Erin McReynolds 12, Kendra Maynard 11.