Sevier County girls basketball's team effort wasn't enough in state quarterfinals

MURFREESBORO — Sevier County girls basketball will always give a full team effort. 

That is how it made its first state tournament appearance in 20 years last year and returned as one of the final eight teams again this season. While its typical connection and effort were on display in the Class 4A state quarterfinals this year against Bartlett, it wasn’t enough. 

Sevier County fell 54-42 in the Class 4A state quarterfinals Wednesday at Middle Tennessee State’s Murphy Center This marked the second straight loss to Bartlett in the 4A quarterfinals.

“I thought they played until that final second,” said Sevier County assistant coach Beth Ownby. “Played hard, did not give up. I just felt like today was a day where your shots don’t fall, between free throws and some of the layups.”

Sevier County (31-4) was led by senior Kinley Loveday who had 11 points, three rebounds and a steal. Senior Aubree Laney and junior Cybil Penland each pitched in nine points. Freshman Kaliyah Burden also had four points, 11 rebounds and three steals. 

The top player for Bartlett (29-10) was senior Carrington Jones who had 20 points and six steals. 

Ownby filled in for head coach Jonathan Shultz, who has been ill. 

While the Bearettes’ 2024 season ended against the same opponent it faced last year, they did not resemble the team they were a year ago. 

Last year, Sevier County trailed 22-10 in the first half and lost 57-37. 

“We were very frazzled, the first half we just got down a lot,” Penland said. “We took that and we knew we had to have that good energy coming in from the start.”

This meeting, Sevier County led 15-9 after the first quarter, forcing 10 turnovers while only having one themselves. By halftime, it remained ahead by two points.

The Bearettes’ offensive attack was subdued steadily as Bartlett remained consistent with full-court pressure and on offense finished 19-of-38 field goals.

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They also had their chances of winning stifled when Penland battled foul trouble. She fouled out with 3:16 left in the game and Sevier County trailing 43-38. 

“This (will) probably be the most memorable season I ever have,” Penland said. “Playing with girls I’ve played with since I was really young, leaving them behind it’s gonna be hard but hopefully next year I can continue the legacy.”

Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email toyloy.brown@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly Twitter, @TJ3rd_.