Jackets, Lady Jackets lose in semifinals; advance to Regionals

Hosting the District 8-A basketball tournament, both Trousdale County teams were hoping to advance to their respective championship games.

Instead both teams lost in the semifinals and will have to travel for their region quarterfinal games.

In the boys semifinals on Feb. 15 the Yellow Jackets (10-17) came from behind to tie the game at 61, but Gordonsville's Austin Vaden hit a 15-foot jumper with 2.4 seconds remaining that proved to be the difference. The Jackets were able to get up a half court shot as time expired, but it was off the mark and ended the 63-61 loss to the Tigers (11-14).

The Jackets trailed by nine at 45-36 in the third quarter before putting together a comeback that was almost good enough for a win.

"We were in position to win," Coach Daniel Kemp said. "We just fell short at the end."

Junior Christian Lauderdale matched his career high 28 points and senior Dylan Hurst had 13. Junior C.J. Dickerson added 12 and senior Cody Sircy and junior James Kelley four apiece.

The Lady Jackets (11-16) had to face Friendship Christian (17-7) in the semifinals Feb. 14. The two tams split during the regular season and the Lady Jackets had hopes of returning to the championship game, but their hopes were dashed in the second quarter as they were outscored 17-0 on the way to a 61-30 loss.

"Offensively we struggled the whole game," Coach Jeremy Wilhelm said. "The second quarter was devastating. we could not find any offensive production and we were in a tremendous hole at halftime that we were unable to dig back out of."

Senior Sydney Shoulders was the only Lady Jacket in double figures as she netted 11. Freshman Hannah Brooke Ellis was the only other Lady Jacket with multiple field goals, hitting two baskets for her four points. Sophomores Hannah Gregory, Ashley Cornwell and Destinee Dixon added three each and senior Bailey Howell, junior Paige Burnley and Abby Oldham tossed in two each.

The Lady Commanders had three players in double figures. Junior Deja Jones tossed in 18, senior Kristian Watkins added 15 and senior Kaitlyn Teeter 12.

The Lady Jackets will travel to Jackson County or Clarkrange on Friday for their region quarterfinal. On Saturday, the Jackets will hit the road to Clay County or Jackson County. Both games tip off at 7 p.m.