The Greeneville girls’ basketball team held off hard-charging Cocke County, 60-56, in the District 2-3A Tournament semifinals on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. (Photo: Danny Parker).
By MIKE BLACKERBY
GREENEVILLE – The start and finish belonged to Cocke County’s girls.
In between, third-seeded Greeneville did just enough to escape with a 60-56 win over the No. 2-seeded Lady Red Saturday in the semifinals of the District 2-AAA girls’ basketball tournament at Hal Henard Gym.
The Lady Greene Devils (23-7) advance to the 8 p.m. championship game Monday against Grainger (27-4), which beat Greeneville twice in the regular season.
Despite the loss, Cocke County (22-6) is still alive.
The Lady Red will play Cherokee (12-19) at 6:30 Monday in the consolation game.
All four teams advance to the upcoming Region 1 tournament as well.
Greeneville overcame a turnover-filled start that included six steals by Cocke County in the first quarter.
The Lady Greene Devils won the second two quarters by a combined 38-21 margin before Cocke County made things interesting late.
Greeneville trailed 7-0 early and struggled to even get the ball up the court in the first quarter.
Lady Greene Devil coach Annette Watts had seen enough.
To begin realizing your financial future with resources that fit both you and your values, click on the Thrivent logo above.
“We got the starting five off the floor and chewed them out,” said Watts.
“We reminded them that this (district semifinals) is the hardest game. We kind of righted the ship and made a few shots.”
Greeneville led 26-25 at the half and took command by outscoring Cocke County 21-8 in the third quarter.
But back came the Lady Red behind the shooting of senior guard Sydney Clevenger in the fourth quarter.
Her 3-pointer cut the Greeneville lead to 54-52 with just over a minute to play, but Cocke County could get no closer as the Lady Greene Devils beat the Lady Red for the second time in three games this season.
“I’m glad we held on,” said Watts.
“Last week we had a 10-point lead at Cocke County and blew it.”
Junior guard Lauren Bailey led Greeneville with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Bailey was 6 of 15 from the field and 7 of 8 at the foul line.
Bailey and senior guard Delana DeBusk (seven points, seven rebounds) were huge down the stretch.
They combined to score Greeneville’s final 11 points.
“Both of those players work so hard,” said Watts.
“They give it all they have.”
Grace Hayes added 10 points and Chloe Marsh scored eight for Greeneville, which also got a big boost off the bench from Anna Shaw.
“Thirty-three (Shaw) came up really big for us,” said Watts.
“She’s just a sophomore but she’s a bulldog who would just go get it.”
Shaw speared seven rebounds to go with four points.
Greeneville dominated the boards (40-21) and continually won 50-50 balls.
“On the boards they just killed us all night,” said Cocke County coach Chris Mintz.
“They just out-hustled us and the ball just seemed to bounce their way.”
Clevenger led the Lady Red with 18 points, including 11 during the fourth-quarter comeback bid.
She made three of her four 3-pointers in the final quarter.
Senior guard Camryn Halcomb also scored 18 points on 7-for-15 shooting for Cocke County.
Gracie Gregg and Paige Niethammer scored seven apiece. Niethammer led Cocke County with seven rebounds.
Both teams wound up with 18 turnovers.
5STAR PHOTOS: Cocke County Lady Red at Greeneville Lady Greene Devils – Feb. 19, 2022
[/mepr-show]