LORETTO, Tenn. – The Community Viqueens (13-18, 3-5) struggled to get any offense going on the road against the District 10 Runners-Up, Loretto Lady Mustangs (21-8, 6-0), as their season came to a close in a 44-27 loss.

The Viqueens suffer their second-consecutive defeat in the Region 5-AA Quarterfinal round after falling at Loretto a year ago, 60-29, following their miraculous run to the State Tournament in 2022-23.

Career 2,000-point scorer, Ally Weathers, led all scorers with a game-high 23 points, nearly matching Community’s team total all by herself. She was the only Lady Mustang to reach double-figures, but Libby Sanders did chip in with a pair of three-pointers as part of an eight-point first half.

For Community, Alyssa White was the only Viqueen to reach double-digits, finishing with a team-high 10 points. Anna Haskins connected on two second-half triples as part of a seven-point night while freshman Mattie Maxey chipped in with seven points as well. 

To start, the suffocating defense from Loretto was apparent early as the Lady ‘Stangs jumped out to a 14-4 lead after the opening period of play. Weathers got going early and often, going 4-4 from the free throw line as well as knocking down a three-pointer in a nine-point first quarter. Sanders added five points, including a three, while White and Maxey were the only Viqueens able to score any points for Community. 

The Viqueens didn’t fare much better in the second quarter, only managing to score six points as a team. Loretto took a 25-10 lead going into the halftime locker room after Weathers and Sanders connected on one three-pointer apiece in the period.

Coming out for the second half, the Viqueens continued to struggle against the Loretto defense as the Lady Mustangs outscored Community, 13-6, to take a 38-16 lead going into the final frame. Weathers led the way with five points in the period while Kinlee Stutts scored all four of her points, including a three-pointer, in the third quarter. Haskins did get on the board for Community with a three-pointer followed by splitting a pair of free throws while White put in a layup for her sixth point of the game.

In the fourth quarter, the Lady Mustangs knew they had the win locked up, not even needing to make a field goal to hold on for the victory. Instead, Loretto shot 6-10 from the charity stripe while managing to hold Community to just 11 points in the period to secure the 17-point margin of victory, 44-27.

Loretto improves to 20-8 (8-0) and advances to the Region 5-AA Semifinals to take on District 9 Champions, Cannon County, at 6:00 p.m. at Cascade on Monday night.

Community’s season comes to a close at 13-18 (3-5).