Huntingdon's defense leads to second straight Class A girls basketball state tournament berth

HUNTINGDON — This is the time of year to be peaking. This is the time of year to be playing your best.

The defensive output by the Huntingdon girls basketball team seems to indicate the Fillies are doing just that.

Huntingdon held Houston County to nine first-half points in a 55-28 victory over the Lady Irish in the Class A sectionals.

"We came out with intensity and played great defense," Huntingdon coach Farris Lowery said. "We played great defense from the beginning, and that was a key.

"That was our best half of defense against a quality opponent. There was a great crowd here tonight, and that helped. It was intense, and I can't say enough about our fans."

The Fillies (26-1) will play in the Class A state quarterfinals on either Wednesday or Thursday at MTSU.

Taylor Smith led the Fillies with 17 points, but it was her defensive effort – along with her teammates – that made the difference.

"We have (been) practicing all week on our defense more than our offense," Smith said. "Our offense always falls, but defense is what wins games. We are trying to give our best effort out there."

After easily winning all of their contests in the District 11-A tournament, Huntingdon stepped up the competition level this week with teams such as Collinwood, Loretto and Summertown.

"They were all very good basketball teams, and we had to play really hard with intensity," Lowery said. "We have stayed focused throughout. Their focus was to get back and do what we did last year, and hopefully, play better once we get there." 

For Smith, it has been the defense that has been the difference all week.

"It boosted our confidence after beating great teams like them," Smith said. "I told the team before we went out there tonight that this was my last game on this floor, and we are going to give it everything that we have. It was our defense that held us together."

In the Region 6-A championship, the Fillies ended a 28-game winning streak by Summertown.

On Saturday, Houston County struggled with Huntingdon's pressure on defense as the Fillies held a 23-3 lead after one quarter and a 34-9 lead at halftime.

For Huntingdon to get past the Class A state quarterfinals, Smith thinks defense is going to have to be key again.

"We have to be on next week," Smith said. "We know that defense is what wins games. I feel like we have a chance to win a game."

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754 and on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.