By Chris George
TuckerCountySports.Com
CHARLESTON – The Lady Mt. Lions opened State Tournament play against Tolsia on March 8th at the Charleston Coliseum. Tucker County got off to a slow start, but a big second half allowed the Lady Mt. Lions to win the contest 66-44.
The Lady Rebels controlled the first quarter as Tolsia led after one quarter 12-8. Tucker County fought back in the second quarter as they outpaced Tolsia in the second 14-10 to tie the game 22-22 at the half.
The Lady Mt. Lions started to pull away in the third quarter as Tucker County outscored Tolsia 20-10 in the third to give Tucker County the 42-32 lead after three. In the fourth quarter the Lady Mt. Lions continued to pull away from the Lady Rebels as they outshot Tolsia 24-12. This gave Tucker County the Quarterfinal win over Tolsia 66-44.
The Lady Mt. Lions were led in scoring by Ericka Zirk with 19 points, 10 rebounds and Macy Helmick had 14 points, 6 assists. Kadie Colebank added 10 points, 10 rebounds, 8 blocks for Tucker County and Raven Matthews chipped in with 8 points, 7 rebounds in the win.
CHARLESTON – The Tucker County Girls’ faced off against Doddridge County in the Semi-Finals on Friday March 10th. The Lady Mt. Lions battled back again in the second half to win over the Lady Bulldogs 51-43.
Doddridge County got off to a good start in the first quarter as they led Tucker County after one quarter 14-9. The Lady Mt. Lions cut into the Lady Bulldogs lead in the third as Tucker County outscored Doddridge County 10-9 to make the halftime score 23-19 Doddridge County.
The third quarter belonged to the Lady Mt. Lions as they outshot the Lady Bulldogs 16-7 to give Tucker County the 35-30 lead after three quarters. Doddridge County could not complete a comeback as Tucker County won the fourth quarter 16-13 to give the Lady Mt. Lions the 51-43 Semi-Final win. The win put Tucker County into the Championship game for the first time since 1998.
Tucker County was led in scoring by Kadie Colebank with 19 points, 21 rebounds, 5 blocks and Macy Helmick had 12 points, 4 assists. Avery Colebank added 10 points, 5 rebounds for the Lady Mt. Lions in the win.
CHARLESTON – The Lady Mt. Lions played in the Class “A” Championship game against Cameron on Saturday March 11th. Tucker County got off to a slow start and their second half comeback attempt fell short as Cameron won the game 53-46.
The Lady Dragons controlled the first quarter as they led after one 13-6. The second quarter was also won by Cameron as they outscored the Lady Mt. Lions 15-8 to put the halftime score at 28-14.
Tucker County started to fight back in the third quarter as the third was even in scoring at 16-16 to make the score 44-30 Cameron after three. In the fourth quarter the Lady Mt. Lions made a run as they cut the Lady Dragons lead down to 48-46 after a basket by Ericka Zirk with 54 seconds left in the game. Tucker County then got a steal, but the Lady Mt. Lions could not get a shot to fall. Cameron made their foul shots down the stretch to hold on to win the game by the final score of 53-46.
The Lady Mt. Lions were led in scoring by Kadie Colebank with 13 points, 7 rebounds and Ericka Zirk had 11 points, 6 rebounds. Macy Helmick added 10 points, 4 assists in the loss for Tucker County.
Tucker County(21-3) finished the season as Class “A” State Runner-Up. Kadie Colebank and Macy Helmick were named to the State All-Tournament team. For more info go to TuckerCountySports.Com.