Briarcrest girls lose to Knoxville Webb in Division II-AA state quarterfinal

Briarcrest's comeback effort came up short Friday night. 

After Knoxville Webb built a lead that surpassed 20 points, the Saints (21-7) fought back, but weren't able to get in front and lost to the Spartans 49-35 at Rowell Arena in the Division II-AA state qualifier game. 

"It was quite a bit of things to overcome," said Briarcrest coach Lee Smith. "... You spot a team like that with 16 (points), it's almost impossible (to come back)."

Though Knoxville Webb (16-10) built a lead it maintained from start to finish, Briarcrest didn't give up. The team Smith had coached all season finally showed up. 

Down 13 with just under 4:30 left to play, the Saints scored four quick points and was able to cut the lead to as low as six points.

It never got below that. The Saints were forced to foul and Knoxville Webb held on for the win. 

"It's a lot of hurt in that locker room," Smith said. "We did feel like we could have won that ball game."

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Meeyah Green led all scorers with 16 points for the Spartans. Madelyn Ladd and Shae Berry were the other Spartans to score in double figures with 11 and 12 points, respectively. 

Kayli Clarkson and Kathryn Echols led Briarcrest with 12 and 10 points, respectively. 

The Spartans advance to the Division II-AA girls state tournament and will play Thursday at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville. 

"I told them," Smith said, "remember how you feel tonight and be determined that won't happen again."

Reach Wynston Wilcox at wwilcox@gannett.com and on Twitter @wynstonw__.