Fillies, Mustangs Advance to Semifinals

The Huntingdon Fillies and Mustangs won their first-round region 6-2A games last week to move within one game of a region championship. The Fillies handily defeated Harpeth from District 11-2A 91-26 and the Mustangs defeated Cheatham County 52-49 to advance.

The Fillies possibly set a school record against Harpeth, who entered the game with only two wins and the fourth-seeded team from District 11-2A. The Fillies scored 43 points in the first quarter and led 61-15 at the half.

The Fillies had five players in double figures scoring and out-rebounded the Lady Cubs 43-19 in the game. The Fillies also forced 14 first-quarter turnovers to race to a 43-12 lead after one frame. In that first quarter the Fillies made five three-pointers and were six of seven from the foul line.

Freshman Wylie Kee led the Fillies in the scoring ledger with 18 points that all came in the first three quarters. Kee also had seven rebounds for the game. Knox Bennett added 15, Kyrstin Moore 13 and three three-pointers, Ellie Wilson 13, Emalynn Maness 12 (all from behind the arc), Grier Bartholomew 7, Maria Barreto de Vicente 5, Tatum Rich 3, Millie Luther 3 and Kaylen Cary 2. Cary led the Fillies with 8 rebounds for the game.

Harpeth was led by Jayln Murfree with 9 and Ella Pomeroy with 8.

The Fillies improved to 25-3 for the season and were scheduled to face Cheatham County in region play at Waverly on Monday, March 2 after The Banner's press deadline.

The Mustangs, who had dropped both district tournament games, got off to a fast start against Cheatham County leading 17-16 after one quarter. The Mustangs then went cold from the field and trailed at the half 35-26 after Garvin Kee made a 35-foot shot at the buzzer to cut the margin to nine at the break.

The Mustangs trailed by eight with seconds left in the third, but Lucas Smith was fouled on a three-pointer and Smith made two of three to cut the lead to 40-34 at the start of the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs, who trailed 39-28 with 2:28 left in the third, went on a 17-3 run to take a 45-42 lead with four minutes left in the game.

The Cubs tied the game at 45-45, but the Mustangs, with their defense, took a three-point lead with 22 seconds left and a three-pointer by the Cubs was missed and the Mustangs advanced after grabbing the rebound.

The Mustangs improved to 16-6 for the season and will face Harpeth in region play on Tuesday in Waverly.

The Mustangs were led in scoring by Kee with 16, Kelton Johnson 14, Caleb Ezell 9, Bryson Whiteside 6, Smith 4, and K’Shun Carter 3.

Liam Lockert and Sebashan Bryant scored 12 for the Cubs, Copper Jenette 11, and Warner Hamm 8.