By Michael Lindsay
The defending Class 3A state champions are headed back to the Glass House as the Upperman Lady Bees defeated Signal Mountain in Saturday’s sectional round, 48-21.
“I’m really proud of the girls,” said Upperman head coach Dana McWilliams. “I thought early we didn’t look as sharp, but that’s to be expected. It’s a big game and big atmosphere. Signal Mountain is a good team and very well-coached.”
Upperman (32-3) has reached the state tournament in 6 of the last 8 seasons and has won it all in 3 of those trips. Standing in their way Saturday was the Signal Mountain Lady Eagles (26-7), who finished runner-up in Region 3-3A.
“We were aggressive; we knew their size was a factor but it’s not going to keep us from doing what we do,” McWilliams said.
Leading Upperman Saturday was freshman Gracie Butler, who poured in 20 points. Senior Class 3A Miss Basketball finalist Abigail Johnson recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Johnson also hit a career milestone as she broke the program’s all-time career rebounding record.
“That was really special; 1,129 was the record,” McWilliams said. “It was great to have the opportunity.”
Signal Mountain traded baskets with Upperman early as the Lady Eagles held a 4-3 lead with 3:45 left in the first period. Upperman battled back to take a 7-6 lead to end the first via a Butler layup off a Jayla Cobb assist.
Upperman took control in the second period as a Johnson basket in the paint and a Butler three-pointer put the Lady Bees ahead 12-6 less than 2 minutes into the second quarter.
The Lady Bees pushed their lead to double digits (18-8) with 1:44 left until halftime via a Butler three-pointer from the top of the key. Upperman took a 20-10 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Upperman’s 10-point halftime lead grew to 15 by the end of the third period as Cobb found Butler on a cut for a basket with 5 seconds left in the frame to give the Lady Bees a 30-15 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Upperman turned up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter as the Lady Bees’ full-court pressure shut down Signal Mountain offensively. The Lady Bees pushed ahead by 20 points (41-21) with 2:30 remaining. Upperman closed the game on an 18-6 run in the fourth period to win by a 48-21 final score.
The defending champion Lady Bees are amongst the 8 teams remaining in Class 3A. Upperman will face the undefeated Jackson South Side Hawks (31-0) in the state tournament quarterfinals Tuesday afternoon.
“This will be the first time we play on a Tuesday, so that will be a really short prep,” McWilliams said. “We know it’s not going to be an easy task; there’s not going to be any teams left that aren’t very good and very talented. We’re excited for the opportunity.”
Upperman (48): Gracie Butler 20, Abigail Johnson 14, Cobb 6, Kora Bass 3, Bella Stiles 3, Bella Mullins 2