COALMONT, Tenn. – The 2-seed Cascade Lady Champions (13-12, 4-4) used a strong second quarter to fend off the hometown 3-seed Grundy County Lady Yellow Jackets (10-13, 4-4) and advance to the District 9-AA Championship game, 41-26, on Tuesday night. 

Three different Lady Champions scored double-digit points on the night. Caroline Parker scored eight of her 10 points total in the first half, Sophie Ray scored eight of her 10 in the second half, and Lizzie Keele scored five points in both halves. Kaegan Young scored eight in the first half, but just added a single free throw in the final 16 minutes. 

For Grundy County, their offensive attack was stifled almost all night by Cascade. Kasadee Crabtree was the only Lady Jacket to reach double-figures, finishing with 10 points on the night. Kallie Parson was held to just two first-half points while Gracie Panter, who scored 28 points the last time Cascade traveled to Coalmont, was held to just a single free throw.

To start, the two teams were pretty even in the opening period. That is, until Caroline Parker connected on the first of two three-pointers to beat the first quarter buzzer and put Cascade up for good, 11-8. Although there were still three quarters left to play, the Lady Champs would never let Grundy County get within even a single point the rest of the night.

In the second quarter, Cascade outscored Grundy County, 12-2, to take a commanding 23-10 lead going into the halftime locker room after Sophie Ray scored her first bucket of the game on a layup with two seconds left in the period. 

Buoyed by a pair of buzzer-beaters in the first half, Cascade came out for the second half and was able to weather the storm of a Grundy County comeback attempt. On January 27, the last time the Lady Champs traveled to Coalmont, the Lady Jackets utilized a 37-point third quarter to come back from a 14-point halftime deficit. This time, Cascade managed to break even, 9-9, and carried a 32-19 lead into the final frame. 

In the fourth quarter, the Lady Champions were able to connect on their free throws, outscoring Grundy County, 9-7, to officially advance to the District 9-AA Title Game. With an upcoming rematch against Cannon County, the two best teams in the district will vie for a 1-seed in the upcoming Region 5-AA Tournament and the opportunity to not have to see Loretto until the Region Championship. 

Grundy County will play in the 3rd-place game against Community, scheduled for Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

Cascade advances to the District Championship against Cannon County, scheduled for Saturday at 6:00 p.m. LIVE on The Zinger 100.9 and AM 1400.