FINAL FOUR: Van Buren County Blows Out Memphis Middle College In Class A State Quarterfinals

Story by Noah McKay and Jacob Vinson

Photos by Michael Lindsay and Noah McKay

MURFREESBORO – The Van Buren County Eaglettes rolled into the semifinal round of the TSSAA Class A Girls State Tournament with a 68-32 win over Memphis Middle College on Wednesday morning at the Murphy Center.

The Eaglettes dominated on the glass with double-doubles by Cara Mills and Emma Gammon they earned their second victory in a state tournament in program history. 

“Obviously, we rebounded the ball (well),” said VBCHS head coach Tyler Sapp. “We talk all the time about playing inside-out basketball. That’s when our threes start to fall… when we can get (Mills) a touch, because you’ve got to go guard her. Every game this year I’ve said something about playing inside out.”

Despite a 7-1 rebounding advantage in the first five minutes of the contest, the Eaglettes were unable to create separation, leading 12-10 at the end of the first quarter. 

The rebounding advantage continued to grow in the second quarter, with the Eaglettes tallying 14 first-half offensive rebounds as they stretched their advantage to 25-14. 

Abigail Netherton and Mills each tallied eight points in the third quarter as the Eaglettes began to pull away before turning the contest into a blowout in the fourth quarter.

🏀 Girls’ 1A State Quarters

FINAL

Memphis Middle College – 32
Van Buren County – 68

Cara Mills finished with 23 points and 20 rebounds.

The Eaglettes will play the winner of Moore County and Coalfield in the Semifinals. #UCR pic.twitter.com/PyLabzSCd0

— Upper Cumberland Reporter (@U_C_Reporter) March 12, 2025

The Eaglettes outrebounded the Lady Bulldogs 51-32. Netherton led the Eaglettes with 26 points. Mills tallied 23 points and 20 rebounds. Gammon scored 13 points with 13 rebounds. 

“It feels amazing,” said Mills who played all 32 minutes. “You have to do your job, and when you do it feels good.”

The Eaglettes (27-6) will face Coalfied on Friday at the Murphy Center in the state semifinals. The Lady Jackets were a 54-41 winner over Moore County on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 9:30 a.m. 

“We’re ready to play whoever,” said Sapp. “It’s a new season. It’s not about what happened yesterday. It’s about what happens today. All the credit goes to all those girls in the locker room.”