Cut Down The Nets!

Hey DJ, drop that music. (we are the champions, my friend, and we keep on fighting to the end. We are the champions.) Or do you prefer “One Shinning Moment.” Either song would work for this article. This year at the TSSAA state championship was a barnburner. The games had a little bit of everything that would keep you at the edge of your seat. Phenomenal performances from some very talented young ladies, who just helped propel their teams to the top. You saw overtime finishes plus spectacular performances that will surely go down as some of the best games in the history of the state championships.   Two weeks ago the city of Murfreesboro played host to the championship rounds for the 2023-2024 women's basketball state finals. The Glass House was rockin from 11am all the way down to the final game. These games were tough and played with a lot of heart and passion. Here is a recap of last Saturday's championship games.   Kicking off championship Saturday, the first game saw Jackson Southside play against Livingston Academy. The Lady Hawks from Jackson came out the gates strong with a 13-4 first quarter lead. They were on fire early and often. Led by [player_tooltip player_id='399925' first='Albany' last='Collins'], the Lady Hawks were destined to take home the crown. Livingston Academy's come back surge was led by [player_tooltip player_id='631094' first='Ellie' last='Butler']. Her ability to get to the rim was amazing. The Lady Hawks were just too much for Livingston Academy at the end as they put the clamps down and extended their lead. Jackson South Side finishes the season undefeated and takes home the gold ball for the first time in school history.   Final score    Jackson South Side-62   Livingston Academy- 52   Top performers   [player_tooltip player_id='399925' first='Albany' last='Collins'] (Jackson South Side)- 18pts   [player_tooltip player_id='285377' first='TiMia' last='Lawson']- (Jackson South Side)- 15pts, 7 rebs   [player_tooltip player_id='631094' first='Ellie' last='Butler']-  (Livingston Academy)- 26pts   The second session saw the Bradley Central Bearettes square off against the Lady Panthers of Bartlett. Bartlett came into the game with a juggernaut of a roster. This game felt like a David and Goliath type of matchup. The Lady Beareetts were young, but they were battle tested all week by beating some tough opponents along the way to get the final game.    Bartlett got into foul trouble early and BC capitalized off it. Freshman sensation [player_tooltip player_id='513228' first='Kimora' last='Fields'] led the charge, finishing around the cup. BC was tough on the defensive end, limiting second chance opportunities and clogging up the lanes. Bartlett's offense staggered a bit, but was able to get it within 5 at the half. Coming out of the break, Bradley Central went on a 14 point run led by [player_tooltip player_id='409074' first='Avary' last='Brewer'] and the lead was too much for Bartlett to overcome. The Lady Bearettes of Bradley Central proved to be too much for the Lady Panthers. BC takes home the crown as they finished a spectacular season off.   Final Score   Bradley Central -58   Bartlett -49   Top Performers   [player_tooltip player_id='513228' first='Kimora' last='Fields'] (Bradley Central)- 18pts, 5 rebs   [player_tooltip player_id='409074' first='Avary' last='Brewer'] (Bradley Central)- 16pts,   [player_tooltip player_id='285350' first='Nevaeh' last='Scott'] (Bartlett)- 15 pts   The afternoon session kicked off with McKenzie vs. Wayne Co. This 1A finals game would be a “check my game out” party for [player_tooltip player_id='290967' first='Savannah' last='Davis']. In the famous words of the late Biggie Smalls, “ if you don't know, now you know.” The sophomore guard was on fire as she was 7-9 from downtown. Finishing with 29pts, Savannah put her team on her back. [player_tooltip player_id='409014' first='Blair' last='Baugus'] of Wayne County did all that she could to help bring back her Lady Wildcats. The McKinzie attack was just too much for them as Lady Rebels took home their second straight gold ball.   Final Score   McKenzie-71   Wayne Co- 54   Top Performers   [player_tooltip player_id='290967' first='Savannah' last='Davis'] (McKenzie)- 29pts   [player_tooltip player_id='616718' first='Kylie' last='Reynolds'] (McKenzie)- 13pts, 6rebs   [player_tooltip player_id='804697' first='Mikaela' last='Reynolds'] (McKenzie)- 18pts, 4 rebs   [player_tooltip player_id='409014' first='Blair' last='Baugus'] (Wayne Co.)- 15pts, 5 reb   Jacqueline Keaton (Wayne Co.)- 11pts, 6 rebs   The final game of the day was Westview vs. McMinn Central. This game featured some solid players going up against each other. Westview came out running with McCall Simms leading the way. She scored 7 of the team's first twelve first quarter points. [player_tooltip player_id='245287' first='Jada' last='Harrison'] did her thing as she kept the charge going coming out the second half. Finishing the game with 17pts, she was a bucket from the field and a beast on the boards. McMinn Central couldn't get going as Westview had a stifling defense front. Westview brings the crown to West Tennessee!   Final Score   Westview - 56   McMinn Central- 37   Top Performers   McCall Simms (Westview)- 17 pts   [player_tooltip player_id='245287' first='Jada' last='Harrison'] (Westview) 17pts, 10 rebs   Mary Anna Chester (Westview)- 12 pts, 6 rebs   [player_tooltip player_id='409633' first='Karina' last='Bystry'] (McMinn Central)- 15pts

Hey DJ, drop that music. (we are the champions, my friend, and we keep on fighting to the end. We are the champions.) Or do you prefer “One Shinning Moment.” Either song would work for this article. This year at the TSSAA state championship was a barnburner. The games had a little bit of everything that would keep you at the edge of your seat. Phenomenal performances from some very talented young ladies, who just helped propel their teams to the top. You saw overtime finishes plus spectacular performances that will surely go down as some of the best games in the history of the state championships.