Pair of T’Giving tourney No. 2’s
Lady Ads lose late vs. McMinn Central
Though leading most of the game while attempting to capture the Melton Heating & Air Girls Thanksgiving Tournament it hosted in Lynn E. Sexton Gymnasium on Donald Dodgen Court, the Farragut Lady Admirals saw McMinn Central rally in the final quarter. Strong offensive play around the rim, clutch three-point baskets and forcing key turnovers late were the difference.
The end result was a 52-48 Chargerettes victory against FHS Saturday night, Nov. 30, which dropped the Lady Admirals to 4-2 overall entering this week.
Farragut couldn’t hold leads of 29-21 at halftime and 39-33 after three quarters despite a team-high 13 points from sophomore wing Gabbie VanAcker, 11 from senior guard Jaci Neubert (who fouled out) and 10 points from sophomore post Trinity Curry.
“It’s McMinn Central, they’re one of the best (Class AAA) programs in the state for a reason,” FHS head coach Jason Mayfield said. “They don’t make a ton of mistakes, and we started making a bunch of mistakes and they made us pay for it. ... And them being able to make plays around the rim and us not being able to make plays around the rim.”
McMinn Central was led by Karina Bystry (game-high 23 points) and Malco Masingale (17).
First two tourney games are blowouts
Farragut opened tourney play Monday, Nov. 25, by crushing McMinn County 81-23 , then came back Friday, Nov. 29, to blister Gatlinburg-Pittman 71-31 and earn a trip to the championship game.
Against McMinn County, junior wing KJ McNealy led the winners with a game-high 25 points, while Neubert added 18.
In the GPHS contest, Neubert paced the Lady Ads offensively with 20 points followed by McNealy and senior point guard Annie Priest with 14 each.
