Loretto girls finish runner-up to Gibson County despite tournament MVP performance from Karly Weathers

MURFREESBORO — Tears were in their eyes.

The goal of gold came up one-game shy.

Gibson County defeated Loretto 50-42 in the TSSAA Class A girls basketball state championship on Saturday at MTSU's Murphy Center.

It ended the Lady Mustangs' quest to win their first gold ball trophy since the program won the first girls basketball state title in 1958.

"It's not the way we want it to end by far," Loretto coach Ashley Rutledge said. "But 33-2 is not too bad.

"We have a young team. We are losing one senior. We have youth. We were the underdogs. And we made it this far."

Freshman Karly Weathers, a Miss Basketball finalist, was a big reason for that success this season.

Weathers, the daughter of former major league pitcher David Weathers, scored a game-high 26 points in the loss to Gibson County (35-3). Weathers was named the Class A state tournament MVP after averaging 24.3 points and 9.3 rebounds for the Lady Mustangs' three games.

"That doesn't happen very often," Rutledge said. "She had a great game."

Karly, whose mom, Kelli Weathers, is an assistant on the staff and in the Belmont athletics hall of fame, hit six of 11 from behind the 3-point line against Gibson County.

"It's a big-time ballgame," Karly said. "When you come into a big-time ballgame, you have to make big-time plays. It's just a different level of focus when you know you are playing for a gold ball."

Ashton Lannom led Gibson County with 15 points. K.J. White had 12.

The Lady Mustangs' runner-up finish is the program's fourth in school history and first since 1979.

Loretto is in position to return to the state tournament next year with just reserve Shelby Ridgeway graduating.

"We're going to be right here next year," said Kensey Weathers, a sophomore who is not related to Karly.

Added Rutledge, "Seeing (Kensey) say that just gets me teary eyed. I'm really proud of these guys. I wanted it so bad for them.

"But we'll be back. I said I wasn't going to cry, but here I go. These kids are like my kids. It stinks when you are on this side. But I can assure you one thing. Their response will be back."

Road to championship:Loretto girls return to first state championship since 1979

Memory lane:Loretto holds on to memory of first TSSAA girls basketball state title won in 1958

Quarterfinal win:Loretto takes first step in winning first girls basketball title since 1958

Historic title:Cheatham County girls win first state championship in school's 49-year history

See the scores:TSSAA high school girls basketball state tournament 2019 pairings

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Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.