Lexington holds off Dyersburg

LEXINGTON — Kaitlyn Kelley made four deep 3-pointers to help Lexington in its Region 7-AA quarterfinal game with Dyersburg Friday night, but it was her layup underneath the basket with nine seconds left that provided the difference.

It gave the Lady Tigers their 51-48 victory.

With Brilee Bromley's two free throws with 1.2 seconds left for added security, Lexington (18-11) defeated the Lady Trojans, avenging two earlier losses during the regular season and advancing the Lady Tigers to the region semifinals.

“I drew up a play at the end for (Kelley) to take her girl off the bounce underneath the goal, and she finishes her shot,” said Lexington coach Bianca Thomas. “Then Brilee hits two big free throws to put us up three and seal it.”

“My heart was racing but I knew I had to get it done and get my team ahead,” said Kelley, who finished with 15 points. “I was pretty confident because I like the game being in my hands when it is a pressure situation. I was just trying to go up strong, make the shot and hopefully get an and-one, but they didn't call a foul.”

The Lady Tigers jumped out early taking a 19-10 lead after the first quarter behind Kelley's eight points, including two 3-pointers, but the Lady Trojans chipped away at the lead in each of the following quarters behind their own deep trey's from Denisha Emerson, who finished with nine points, and Faith Sherrow, who had 12 points, to pull even at 46-46 with four minutes left in the game.

Dyersburg (20-11) took its first lead 48-46 on Breonna Howard's floater in the lane with 2:40 left, setting up the down-to-the-wire finish.

Bromley had 16 points to lead Lexington, and Jani Crawford led with 13 for the Lady Trojans.

Thomas said the key was containing Dyersburg's strong shooters.

“Our main emphasis tonight was Jani Crawford, and we knew she had a lot of shooters to go with her on their team,” Thomas said.