By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
BELL BUCKLE — What started as a closely-contested first half in the District 9-AA consolation game between Community and Grundy County, spiraled in favor of the Lady Jackets in the second half.
Grundy County capitalized on a 25-8 run in the third quarter and pulled away to beat Community, 63-39 to finish third in the district tournament.
Community’s loss in the consolation game snapped a two-game win-streak over Grundy County.
The Viqueens closed the regular season with back-to-back wins over Grundy County to claim the No. 2 seed in the district tournament.
Community had its chances, but simply struggled to consistently score throughout the game.
Although able to battle to a 12-12 draw by the end of the first, fouls played a huge factor in the first half as Anna Haskins, Alyssa White, Taylar Wessner and Kathryn Sego all piled up three fouls apiece.
Still, even with the misses and fouls, the Viqueens only trailed 22-21 at the half.
Grundy County opened the second half on an absolute tear, racing out to a 38-23 lead off a 19-2 run.
While the Viqueens were able to land a handful of shots, the foul trouble and struggle to sink baskets was too much to overcome.
Grundy Count put three players in double figures, with Carlee Smartt leading all scorers with 15 points.
Jaidys McDaniel and Kassadee Crabtree scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.
White led the Viqueens with 11 points.
While it wasn’t the run through the District 9-AA tournament the Viqueens envisioned, Community still advances to the Region 5-AA tournament as the No. 4 seed and will face the winner from District 10-AA next Friday.
Grundy Co. 12 10 25 16 — 63
Community 12 9 8 10 — 39
Grundy Co.: Carlee Smartt 15, Jaidys McDaniel 13, Kassadee Crabtree 11, Kathryn Lusk 9, Tori Layne 7, Gracie Painter 5, Elyce Rymer 3.
Community: Alyssa White 11, Anna Haskins 8, Jayla Mangrum 7, Taylar Wessner 5, Graacie Daniel 4, Brailey Whitehead 2, Kathryn Sego 2.
3-Point goals: Grundy Co. (5): Smartt 3, Lusk 2; Community (1): Wessner.
Halftime score: Grundy co. 22, Community 21.
