CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BOUND: Cookeville Beats Bartlett To Advance To Class 4A Title Game

State Tournament coverage presented by Risher Roofing

Story by Noah McKay

MURFREESBORO – For the first time in program history, the Cookeville Lady Cavaliers will play for a girls basketball state championship.

The Lady Cavs advanced with a 74-68 win over Bartlett in the Class 4A semifinal round, avenging last year’s season ending loss to the Lady Panthers.

“These kids are unbelievable,” said CHS head coach Jamie Gillies. “If you look at our roster and our height, and their roster and their height… we don’t have a chance in this game. But you can’t measure heart in those things. We talked about just doing the little things… and they did. They just battled. Bartlett’s such a good team. I’m just so proud of their fight and how hard they played.” 

It was the senior Lady Cavs who handled the offense early, with Allie Gillies, Charlie Roby and Cara Lee Gilbert scoring the first 16 CHS points as they took a 21-17 lead at the end of the first. 

The lead opened to 33-24 with 1:05 left in the second on a Morgan Davis triple, but the Lady Panthers responded with six straight points in the final minute to cut the CHS lead to 33-30 at halftime. 

Four more Bartlett points gave them a brief lead, but Gilbert splashed a three to regain the advantage. The Lady Panthers would not regain a lead as late in the fourth Gilbert made a layup and Allie Gillies made five free throws to deliver a state championship game appearance to Cookeville.

“They just play together,” said coach Gillies. “They do whatever’s asked of them. We just played with confidence and I feel like that was the big difference today”

The Lady Cavs, who played without senior Taniah Dirkson, were led by Cara Lee Gilbert’s 24 points and six rebounds. Allie Gillies scored 23 points with five rebounds. Roby scored 10 points with five rebounds. 

“Allie said it yesterday, it’s just next man up and they trust each other,” said coach Gillies on playing shorthanded. “They’re just unbelievable humans.”

Lauren Gillies, who was tasked with defending Bartlett’s center, scored six points with five rebounds. The Lady Cavs outrebounded the taller Lady Panthers 31-24.

“Lauren Gillies is 5’7 on her best day,” said coach Gillies about Lauren’s defensive effort. “Just battling in the post. Got a busted lip, hurt her arm and just played through all of it.”

The Lady Cavaliers will compete for a state championship for the first time in school history in their sixth tournament appearance. They’ll face off against the winner of Blackman and Sevier County on Saturday with tipoff set for 4:00 p.m. The game will be audio broadcast by UCR.