ROUNDUP: USJ girls in first D2-A region final
For the first time since 2005, the University School of Jackson girls basketball team will play for a region title.
The Lady Bruins knocked off Harding Academy 40-29 at Northpoint Christian on Friday in the Division II-A West region semifinals.
"It was an ugly one, but our girls gritted it out on the defense end," USJ coach Tony Shutes said. "Anna [Jones] had six points. In years past when Anna has six points, we don't win. But our team has grown up, and we played a tough schedule early in the year."
USJ (27-2) advances to play Northpoint Christian on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. This is the first time that the Lady Bruins will play for a region title in Division II-A.
The Lady Bruins used their stingy defense to slow down Division II-A Miss Basketball finalist Antoinette Lewis and the Lady Lions.
"We struggled to shoot the ball around Lewis, but she killed us on the offensive boards," Shutes said. "Even when we forced into tough shots. One possession I recall, she had three offensive rebounds on one possession. It was tough to keep her off the boards."
Harding Academy was held to 16 points in the first half and 13 in the second half.
Shutes said that Ashton Hulme was a big part of the success Friday night.
"She had 17 points, including two 3-pointers to draw Lewis out from the paint," Shutes said. "We didn't sub her out in the second half. Taylor Tennpenny has been out with the flu for the last two days, but we couldn't sub her in the fourth quarter. They had two 6-footers that hurt us, so we couldn't go as deep as we usually do."
District 15-A
• TCA 57, Riverside 29: The Lady Lions (21-7) might have lost to Riverside a week ago in Decaturville, but TCA left little doubt in the rematch.
TCA jumped out to a 25-13 lead at halftime, but the biggest quarter for the Lady Lions came in the fourth quarter when they outscored the Lady Panthers 24-9.
Brynne Lytle scored a game-high 21 points, while the Lee sisters combined for 27 (Macey with 15 and Savannah with 12).
• Middleton 51, Scotts Hill 33: The Lady Tigers (21-6) picked up their third win over Scotts Hill on the season to advance to the championship game.
Middleton had a slow start, but the Lady Tigers' defense held the Lady Lions to two points in the third quarter.
Middleton led 39-22 after the third quarter.
Sequoya Warren scored 23 points to lead the Lady Tigers,while Chelsey Perry added 13.
Scotts Hill was led by Melanie ALexander with 10 points.
BOYS
District 11-AA
• Camden 74, Fairview 68: Senior Hunter Vick dropped 36 points to lead the Lions to the district title game on Saturday.
Camden (24-5) will play Stewart County at 8:30 p.m. for the title.
District 13-AAA
• Dyer County 70, Hardin County 62: The Tigers trailed by as many as 20, but they went on a run late. The comeback came up short as Dyer County advanced to play in the district title game.
• Brighton 49, Munford 26: Brighton had little trouble beating a county rival and advancing to the the district title game.
Brighton will play Dyer County on Tuesday for the title, while Hardin County will play Munford in the consolation game.
Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.