Story and photos by Noah McKay
MURFREESBORO – The Van Buren County Eaglettes will play for a state championship for the first time in program history.
VBCHS used a buzzer-beating jumper by Abigail Netherton to cap off a fourth-quarter comeback and defeat Coalfield 54-52 in the TSSAA Class A state semifinals at the Murphy Center on Friday morning.
“I’m shaking,” said VBCHS head coach Tyler Sapp. “To be down the whole time and win… All the credit in the world to these kids.”
Emma and Laura Gammon each hit threes to open the game for VBCHS as they raced out to a 6-2 lead. The Lady Jackets answered with a three and midrange jumper to take their first lead at 7-6. Throughout the quarter CHS face-guarded VBCHS center Cara Mills, but she still made a layup to regain the Eaglette lead. The Lady Jackets then closed the quarter on a 5-0 run to take a 14-12 lead after one.
The CHS run continued with two buckets to open the second to stretch it to 18-12. Netherton then scored seven straight for the Eaglettes to cut the deficit to 21-19 midway through the frame. After trading points Laura Gammon hit her second three of the half with 44 seconds remaining to make it a 25-24 Coalfield lead at halftime.
The Lady Jackets threatened to run away with the game midway through the third when a layup made it 36-27, but Netherton and Laura Gammon each responded with threes to cut it to 36-33. The Lady Jackets added a three late in the frame to take a 41-35 lead after three.
A Coalfield free throw gave them a 49-42 lead with 3:27 to play, but Netherton and Mills combined to create a 10-0 VBCHS run and give the Eaglettes a 52-49 lead with 17 seconds left.
The Lady Jackets responded with three converted free throws four seconds later. Mills then found Netherton in transition, she rose up and connected on a midrange runner with 1.3 seconds remaining, sending the Eaglettes into the state championship game.
“They all believe in each other,” said Sapp. “They’re not selfish. Everybody believes in everybody and we trust everybody on the team to make shots. It was huge for us down the stretch.”
Netherton, a sophomore, scored 30 points with four rebounds and four assists.
“She had 30. That’s about all that needs to be said,” said Sapp. “We’ve known about ‘gail for a long time, and I’m glad everyone else is going to get to find out who she is.”
Mills added 10 points with 11 rebounds, despite the attention paid to her by the defense.
“She commands a lot of attention,” said Sapp. “She still had a double-double. We needed her to rebound and she rebounded in the second half for us. When she touched it three kids were on her. Somebody’s open, and today we were able to make shots.”
Laura Gammon scored nine points with seven rebounds. Emma Gammon tallied five points. Ellie Grissom tallied six rebounds.
The Eaglettes will face the winner of Richland and Greenfield on Saturday at the Murphy Center. “People are going to remember us forever,” said Mills on making the first state championship game in program history. “Just knowing that is amazing. It’s the best feeling ever.”
“Now it’s time to go win the real thing,” said Netherton.
Tipoff is set for 11 a.m.
“Just go out there and leave everything you’ve got on the floor,” said Sapp. “We had no state hardware in Van Buren County. After tomorrow, gold or silver, we’ll have something. Obviously you want to go get the gold so we’re going to do everything we can. We’re thrilled to be in the state championship game.”
