Utley's chess game Friday as Beech in region semifinal vs. Mt. Juliet

Nashville Tennessean

Beech girls basketball coach Kristi Utley poured over game film in preparation for her Region 5-AAA quarterfinal game against Rossview on Friday night.

After watching four full games, Utley devised a gameplan she felt could help her team get over the hurdle that tripped up her team last year.

Using a full-court press nearly from start to finish, and sprinkling in man — when her team had grown accustomed to a 3-2 zone — helped Beech force Rossview into double-digit turnovers and never allowed the Lady Hawks to get into any rhythm offensively in a 51-41 Lady Bucs victory on the road.

Rossview's Madisyn Hash tries to defend against a Beech player under the basket during their Region 5-AAA quarterfinal game Friday night.

The win for Beech came after the Lady Bucs finished third in District 9-AAA after being the league's regular season champion.

Beech completed a District 9-AAA sweep of District 10-AAA teams after Wilson Central, Lebanon and Mt. Juliet all won Friday. It set up a region semifinal with host Mt. Juliet, the District 9-AAA tournament champion at 6 p.m. Monday.

"We know what to expect," Beech sophomore Mia Dean said about facing Mt. Juliet. "It's a district game in the region tournament."

Beech's Shiya Hoosier puts up a running jumper in the lane against Rossview during their Region 5-AAA quarterfinal Friday night.

Beech (24-8) split with Mt. Juliet (21-8) this season, capturing a two-point win Jan. 5. Mt. Juliet hammered the Lady Bucs 62-47 three weeks later, setting up Monday's third showdown.

"Coach has done a great job at preparing us every game and we know how to play our opponents," Beech's Shiya Hoosier said.

That prep work was on full display Friday night against Rossview in an elimination game.

"The press kind of initiated everything," Utley said. "We had to stop (Macy Rippy's) penetration. We wanted to make her work as much as she had to and we didn't want to have (Holly Sellers) get open looks."

A Rossview and Beech player go after a loose ball during the first half of their Region 5-AAA tournament quarterfinal game Friday at Rossview High.

Utley said she has used man defense this season, but for over a month she has switched to a 3-2 zone. The different defensive look has helped the Lady Bucs win 12 of its last 15 games dating back to Jan. 5.

And it caused problems for Rossview (25-7).

"We felt like we knew the press was coming so we had about five different press break options that we went to," Rossview coach Justin Woods said. "The problem was every time we used one, Beech changed it up a little."

Beech's Mia Dean looks to get past Rossview's Madison Balance during their Region 5-AAA quarterfinal game Friday at Rossview High.

For players like Dean and Hoosier, the opportunity to put pressure on opponents is a welcome addition to the postseason.

"We love to play that way," Hoosier said. "I think it gives us energy and we feed offensively off of it. Anytime you can get steals and get easy baskets it helps your confidence."

Reach prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.