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Viqueen defense smothers Grundy Co. in 7-AA semis

By RICKEY CLARDY ~ Sports Writer
Posted 2/18/23

CHAPEL HILL — The Community Viqueens used a stifling defense along with a steady offense to take control early as the Viqueens defeated the Grundy County Lady Jackets 60-23 in a District 7-AA …

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Viqueen defense smothers Grundy Co. in 7-AA semis

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CHAPEL HILL — The Community Viqueens used a stifling defense along with a steady offense to take control early as the Viqueens defeated the Grundy County Lady Jackets 60-23 in a District 7-AA semifinal tournament game Friday night.
The Grundy County offense could never get untracked as Community (21-6) held the Lady Jackets to single digits in each quarter.
Grundy County took an early 5-3 lead in the opening quarter before the Viqueens got hot from the outside as the Lady Jackets attempted to bottle up the Community inside game. 
With Zoey Dixon scoring seven points and Haley Mitchell adding six, the Viqueens connected on five treys and used a 9-0 run to take a 12-5 lead. 
After a Lady Jacket basket, Community added the final seven points of the quarter and took a 19-7 lead to the second quarter.
The points kept coming for the Viqueens in the quarter. 
M.J.  Simmons scored six points and Mitchell added five as Community completed a 20-0 run with the first 13 points of the second quarter to take a 32-7 lead before Grundy County broke a scoring drought that lasted nine minutes.
The Viqueens led 32-11 at the intermission.
"We shot it well early," Coach Cody Pierce of the Viqueens said. "We were patient and it was all the way around and it wasn't one person tonight."
"We took whatever they gave us," Pierce added.
The inside game started to open up for the Viqueens in the third quarter. 
Shelby Cawthon scored six points and Simmons added four as Community outscored the Lady Jackets 12-7 and took a 44-18 lead to the final quarter.
Mitchell drilled two treys while Dixon and Simmons each scored four points as the Viqueens increased their advantage in the quarter. 
Community closed out the win with an 8-0 run as the game ended with a running clock.
Mitchell and Simmons, who attempted 16 free throws in the game, each scored 17 points while Dixon added 11 and Cawthon netted 10 to lead four Viqueens in double figures.
The Viqueens were 13-of-21 at the free throw line while Grundy County was 1-of-5.  
"We pressed a little bit to wear them down and played good defense in the first half and second half, too," Pierce said.
"That's our goal every night is to hold teams under 40," Pierce added.
With the win, Community advances to the district finals and will take on the host Forrest Lady Rockets Monday night at 7:30 p.m. 
The Lady Rockets defeated Cascade in the other semifinal.
The victory also assures the Viqueens of a home game in the opening round of the Region 4-AA tournament.                                                                         
        
Grundy Co.      7    4    7  5 — 23
Community   19  13  12 16 — 60
 
Grundy Co.: Kasadee Crabtree 6, Jaidys McDaniel 5, Carlee Smartt 4, Gracie Painter 3, Wrylee McDaniel 1, Kathryn Lusk 4, Mallory Woodlee, Elyce Rymer, Kati Davidson, Haley Smith.
Community: M. J. Simmons 17, Haley Mitchell 17, Zoey Dixon 11, Shelby Cawthon 10, Addison Brothers 5, Anna Haskins, Jacey Collier, Izzy Martinez, Stevie Dickenson, Jayla Mangrum, Raegan Haley, Kathryn Sego.
3-Point goals: Grundy Co. (2): J. McDaniel, Painter; Community (9): Mitchell 5, Dixon 3, Brothers.
Halftime score: Community 32, Grundy Co. 11.