UNIONVILLE, Tenn. - The Community Viqueens held a three-point lead going into halftime of their District 9-AA opener against Grundy County, but ultimately could not find the necessary baskets late, falling by a single point, 53-52, at home on Wednesday night.

The first quarter was all about defense for both teams. Alyssa White tagged two free throws and a two-pointer while Anna Haskins dropped in a lay-up for six of the Viqueens seven first quarter points. Both teams generated plenty of opportunities to score, but neither connected and the opening period ended with Grundy County ahead, 11-7.  

To start the second quarter, Community came back out on the floor eager to put some points on the board. The Viqueens swapped baskets with the Yellowjackets until Anna Haskins, as part of her 11 second quarter points, hit two free throws with 2:39 left to tie the game at 18-18.  The Viqueens hit 9-12 from the charity stripe as part of a 20-point second quarter to pull ahead of Grundy County. By halftime, Community went into the locker room with a slim 27-24 lead.

After three minutes had passed in the third period, Community was still holding their own with a one-point lead, 32-31. White had collected seven more of the Viqueens' 13 third-quarter points. With under a minute left the Yellowjackets’ Drew Cook connected on a pair of buckets, including one at the buzzer to give Grundy County the lead going into the fourth quarter, 41-40. 

Yellowjacket Gracie Panter then scored six unanswered points against Community with just over four minutes remaining in the game. Brailey Whitehead connected on a pair of layups and also added a free throw for five of her nine points in the fourth quarter which pulled the Viqueens within four, 51-47. 

Community still didn't give up, but after Taylor Wessner swished a three at the final buzzer, Grundy County still led by just one point, 53-52, and took home the district win. 

Viqueens’ White totaled 16 points, Haskins finished the game with 15 points, and Whitehead, coming off a 32-point affair at Mt. Pleasant, ended with nine points. 

Community falls to 7-9 (0-1) and their next game is tentatively scheduled for Friday at home at 6:00 p.m. against non-district foe, Murfreesboro Central Magnet.