Smith basket gives Huntingdon 13-A title

MCKENZIE — With 30 seconds left on the clock and her team down one, Huntingdon point guard Taylor Smith was in the middle of the lane with the ball in her hands.

Smith turned and scored to help lead the Fillies to the District 13-A championship over Dresden 42-39 at Bethel University on Saturday.

“I just knew I had to make the shot and put us ahead,” Smith said about her game-winning basket.

Smith, who was voted tournament MVP, struggled offensively in the first half, scoring two points, but in the second half, she led the Fillies offense with seven points.

Huntingdon (22-3) will host Union City on Thursday in a region quarterfinal, while Dresden (24-7) will host Gibson County.

“We have not won a district championship in 11 years, and I just felt like I had to take charge and help us win this one,” Smith said.

Huntingdon started the game on a 9-2 run and led almost the whole way, but the Lady Lions kept the game close throughout as neither team got into a good offensive rhythm.

“Whenever we play Dresden it is going to be a hard-fought, physical game just like tonight," said Huntingdon coach Farris Lowery, “Knowing each other's tendencies from playing twice a year, it can lead to low scoring games like this one.”

With 4:20 left in the game, Dresden took the lead for the first time (36-34), but Huntingdon scored the next four points to go back up 38-36.

Dresden’s Kaitlyn Gallimore hit a 3-pointer with 1:15 left to give the Lady Lions’ a one point lead 39-38.

Jesica Keith and Smith each went 1-of-2 from the free throw line in the closing seconds.

Keith finished the game with eight points and five rebounds.

Dresden was led by Gallimore with 12 points, all of which were scored on 3-pointers.  Mary Grace Davis had a game-high 11 rebounds and eight points for the Lady Lions.

"I am proud of the way the girls fought hard all game and pulled it out in the end," said Lowery.

Consolation

Gleason 51, Clarksburg 42

The Lady Bulldogs (28-5) overcame an off shooting game to take third place in the district.

Gleason will travel to Trenton Peabody on Thursday in a Region 7-A quarterfinal, while Clarksburg (11-20) will travel to Greenfield.

Jayden Green led the Lady Bulldogs with 12 points and five assists, while Jordyn Greene came off the bench to add 11 points and five rebounds.

Clarksburg was within two at halftime (33-31), but 27 percent shooting in the second half hurt them. Mikayla Peterson led the Lady Rockets with 15 points.