Elizabethton kept the season alive in thrilling fashion.
The Lady Cyclones outlasted Volunteer for a 56-53 victory in the Region 1-3A Semifinals on Monday night at Claiborne County. With the win, Elizabethton will be playing in the Region Championship game for the fourth time in the last five years as they take on Greeneville at 7p on Wednesday at Claiborne.
It is the third straight year that EHS has met the Lady Greene Devils in the regional finals.
The win also secured a Class 3A Sectional berth for the Lady Cyclones.
It was a battle from the opening tip.
Elizabethton jumped out to a quick lead as Marlee Mathena and Kayelyn Nave hit big shots in the early going as EHS held a 22-15 lead after a quarter of play.
Volunteer battled back in the second quarter, but Elizabethton was able to maintain a 31-25 halftime advantage.
The Lady Falcons cut into the EHS lead in the third quarter, and Jacie Begley hit two 3-pointers in the closing minutes to lift Volunteer to a 44-43 lead after three complete quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Elizabethton wasn’t going to be denied.
Michelle Shields opened the fourth quarter scoring with an old-fashioned 3-point play to give EHS the lead. That started a stretch where the teams traded shots and the lead.
After EHS took a slim lead in the closing minutes, Peyton McGee hit four key throws in the closing seconds to help secure the win for Elizabethton.
Shields led EHS with 15 points, while Mathena had 13 points. Nave ended the game with 12 points.
McGee ended the night with seven points.
