DISTRICT 7-1A GIRLS TOURNAMENT: Pickett County, Jackson County Advance to Monday’s Championship Game

By Michael Lindsay

The top two seeds in District 7-1A will meet in the tournament championship game Monday as #1 Pickett County and #2 Jackson County won their respective semifinal matchups Thursday at Livingston Academy. Pickett County opened the day with a 57-53 win over Clay County followed by Jackson County cruising to an 82-44 win over Clarkrange.

Pickett County vs. Clarkrange

#1 seed Pickett County (18-10, 8-0) erased a 30-23 halftime deficit Thursday as they stormed back to defeat Clay County in the District 7-1A tournament semifinals, 57-53.

Class 1A Miss Basketball finalist Zoey Nicholas led the Lady Bobcats with 24 points in the win followed by 13 from Emma Tompkins and 9 points each from Addy Lowe and Star White. Natalie Smith led Clay County with 25 points followed by 17 from Ella Eads and 9 by Haylen Garrison.

Pickett County led 15-11 after one quarter before Clay County clawed back to take a 19-18 lead midway through the second period. The Lady Bulldogs weren’t done there as they outscored Pickett County 11-5 over the final 4 minutes of the second quarter to lead 30-23 at halftime.

The Lady Bobcats opened the second half on a 9-2 run to tie the game at 32-32, but didn’t take the lead until an Addy Lowe transition layup with 3:39 remaining in the third period put her team up 34-32. Pickett County took a 41-36 lead into the fourth quarter, where they led by as many as 8 points (49-41) in the frame before going on to win by a 57-53 final score.

Pickett County moves on to Monday’s District 7-1A championship game against #2 seed Jackson County at 8 p.m. while Clay County will face Clarkrange in the consolation game at 6:30. All four teams advance to next week’s Region 4-1A tournament with opponents and locations TBD.

Jackson County vs. Clay County

The #2-seeded Jackson County Lady Blue Devils (19-9, 6-2) cruised to an 82-44 win over #3 Clarkrange in the second game of the District 7-1A tournament semifinals on Thursday.

Five Lady Devils scored in double figures led by 21 from Jalynn Meadows. Claire Williams scored 15 points followed by 13 each from Lyla Smith and Avannah Banks and 11 by Reece Thomas. Lydia Phillips led Clarkrange with 24 points followed by 12 from Sophia Sitton.

Jackson County took control from the opening tip as they jumped out to an 18-3 lead late in the first quarter. The Lady Devils led 24-11 after one period and 54-28 at halftime. Jackson County kept control in the second half as they led 70-37 after three quarters before going on to win by an 82-44 final score.

Jackson County moves on to Monday’s District 7-1A championship game against #1 seed Pickett County at 8 p.m. while Clarkrange will face Clay County in the consolation game at 6:30. All four teams advance to next week’s Region 4-1A tournament with opponents and locations TBD.