BARBOURVILLE — Williamsburg advanced in the 13th Region All’A’ Girls Tournament with an exciting 43-40 win over Middlesboro.
The Lady Yellow Jackets turned in one of their best efforts of the season, as Allie Wilson scored 24 points to help guide Williamsburg to the win.
Wilson scored 11 points in the first quarter as the Lady Yellow Jackets (3-7) led 14-13 at the end of the first quarter.
A 3-pointer by Abbi Chinn and six points from Lorelei Coleman as Williamsburg’s lead grew to 27-18 at halftime.
Middlesboro’s Keevie Betts scored nine of her 24 points in the third quarter while Emily Lambert knocked down a 3-pointer as the Lady Yellow Jackets (3-10) cut their deficit to three points (35-32) entering the fourth quarter.
Williamsburg managed to lock up the win by going 4-of-8 from the free-throw line down the stretch while Wilson added three points, allowing her team to come away with the three-point victory.
“I’m so proud of our overall execution, and the level of confidence my girls are playing with at this point,” Williamsburg coach Melissa Douglas said. “We were able to consistently break the press down the stretch, show maturity by not rushing once the press had been broken and opt for a high percentage shot or hold the ball around the wing and draw the foul. We will continue to work on taking that confidence to the line, be patient, and sink our free throws, but I couldn’t be more pleased with our overall execution and effort.
“I made some adjustments at the end and Lorelei came in and had some big rebounds,” she added. “Allie did a great job of staying out of foul trouble though they were definitely trying to drive at her to draw the foul. Two-three plays in a row, with under a minute, that was definitely Middlesboro’s game plan, with good reason. She showed a lot of maturity and leadership. Our guards, Mattingly and Creekmore did an excellent job of not leaving each other and controlling the ball while keeping their eyes up and seeing the full court.
“Lorelei showed a lot of confidence as well as leadership in the last quarter and was able to get open and sink a game sealing free throw,” Douglas continued. “We never gave up and I couldn’t be more proud of them. We have several girls playing big roles that haven’t been in a position to do that before. I’m so proud to not only be alumni, but to see my girls wear their jerseys and own their roles with pride.”
