(From L-R): McCall Willis (32), Avery Strickland, Ashlyn Sheridan and Keeleigh Rogers (34) helped lead the Farragut Lady Admirals past host Sevier County in a Class 4A state sectional on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Ashlyn Sheridan).
SEVIERVILLE – Farragut’s girls broke out the State Bound t-shirts Saturday night – and why not celebrate in style given the magnitude of the win?
After falling short in the program’s seven previous sectional appearances, the Lady Admirals finally advanced to the state tournament for the first time in school history.
Years of frustration were all but forgotten following Farragut’s hard-earned 54-46 win over Sevier County Saturday in the Class 4A sectionals.
“I had so many emotions,” said Farragut’s Avery “Ace” Strickland, who poured in 30 points on 9-for-17 shooting to lead the Lady Admirals.
“We’ve worked so hard for four years. Hopefully, the next step is to go on and win state,” offered Strickland, who knocked down five 3-point shots and was 7 of 8 from the foul line.
The Lady Admirals (26-8) open Division I state tournament play against Rossview (27-3) at 6 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday at Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro.
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Sevier County, which had no seniors in its starting lineup, ends its season 26-7.
Farragut, which defeated the Bearettes for the second time in three tries this season, needed a big second-half comeback to secure the win.
Sevier County took a 24-22 lead to the half.
The Bearettes led 34-26 late in the third quarter when sophomore guard Kinley Loveday bombed in a 3-pointer.
That’s when Strickland, a 6-foot senior guard, took charge as the Lady Admirals went on a 19-0 run.
Strickland hit a 3-pointer and converted two free throws on Farragut’s next two possessions to kick start the rally.
The quarter ended with Sevier County still in front, 34-31.
Strickland opened the fourth quarter with another bomb to tie the game, and then senior guard Keeleigh Rogers finally heated up for the Lady Admirals.
Rogers, who was just 1 of 12 from the field during the first three quarters, scored nine of Farragut’s next 11 points.
She scored on consecutive spin moves to edge the Lady Admirals in front 38-34 with 6:46 to play.
Rogers sandwiched another scoring drive and a deep 3-pointer around two Ashlyn Sheridan free throws as Farragut’s lead ballooned to 45-34 with 5:02 to play.
The Lady Admirals’ offensive surge was triggered by their defense, according to Farragut coach Jason Mayfield.
“We went back to our normal press and our defense took over,” said Mayfield.
“Obviously, Keeleigh took over in the middle and Ace took over from everywhere.”
Rogers, who made all four of her field goal tries in the fourth quarter and finished with 11 points, said her teammates never lost faith in her.
“Obviously, I hadn’t been doing well the first three quarters,” she said.
“My coaches and teammates kept encouraging me (to shoot).”
Strickland said the offense fed off the defense during the 19-0 stretch.
“We just picked up the intensity overall,” said Strickland.
Farragut forced 19 Sevier County turnovers.
Annalise Bishop added five points while Sheridan and McCall Willis scored four each for Farragut.
Willis had seven rebounds and Sheridan grabbed six boards.
Junior guard/forward Emma Fowler led Sevier County with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Loveday and Natali Shultz scored nine each. Madison Barnes had six points and five rebounds.
Obviously none of the Farragut players were around for the last sectional loss in 2015 against Morristown West, but all of the Lady Admirals were well aware of the historic nature of Saturday’s victory.
“It’s an absolutely amazing feeling,” said Rogers.
“After all of these years we’ve not been to state, this was our main goal all the time.”
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