How important is Micah Hart to Gibson County girls basketball? She's their MVP

MURFREESBORO – Micah Hart stood at the free throw line late in the fourth quarter.

Needing to make key free throws late in Thursday’s TSSAA girls basketball state tournament quarterfinal game against Huntingdon, Hart heard the student section.

“MVP, MVP, MVP.”

Hart is a Miss Basketball finalist in Class 2A and helped guide the Lady Pioneers to the 58-49 win over the Fillies (28-6). She shot 7-of-11 from the free throw line, including the one accompanied with the MVP chants.

“It’s good that they’re saying that,” said Hart with a smile. “But I don’t really think about it.”

Hart scored 27 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 2-of-7 from 3-point range. She added six rebounds and a block in the third quarter.

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Gibson County (36-1) faces off against York Institute (27-5) at 4 p.m. Friday at MTSU’s Murphy Center in a Class 2A semifinals. York beat McMinn Central in overtime Thursday.

Hart's game against Huntingdon was far different than Hart’s last game in Murphy Center. She scored six points on 3-of-11 shooting and fouled out of a 58-50 semifinal loss to McMinn Central in last year's state tournament.

“I didn’t do much last year,” Hart said. “This year, I just came out ready to play.”

As she’s done all season, Hart found ways to score in tough situations. Her 3-point shot was not falling early, but she adjusted. She created shot opportunities off the dribble.

Hart had one shot, in particular, that helped put the game away in the late stages of the fourth quarter.

Starting at the top of the key, Hart drove to her right and was forced into a double team from Huntingdon. She kept her dribble and was able to rise through the defense for a fadeaway jumper from about 10 feet.

“I don’t know a girl who is more of a gifted scorer than Micah,” Gibson County coach Mitch Wilkins said.

Wilkins’ message to his team is, “You gotta have heart.” He uses the phrase in a hashtag on the X platform and wore it on his tie on Thursday.

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Hart takes that message seriously. Her fellow senior, Maya Turner, does too. Turner had 13 points and eight rebounds in the win. Sophomore Sania Reaves had eight points and 15 rebounds.

“It’s our last year, and we want to make the best of it,” Hart said. “You’ve just got to play with a lot of heart. Don’t give up on the floor and just keep going. We’ve got to give everything we’ve got — (that includes) everybody on the team.”