Region Tournament Recap: Crouch Powers Lady Bees to Championship Game

The Upperman Lady Bees are the hottest basketball team in the Upper Cumberland and one of the hottest in the State. Miss Basketball finalist Brooklyn Crouch helped ensure the Lady Bees’ postseason run would continue for at least two more games, as she poured in 21 points in Upperman’s 60-46 victory over district rival Livingston Academy in Monday night’s Region 4-3A semifinal at Tullahoma. Abigail Johnson dominated the post with 15 points and 10 rebounds, as Upperman claimed their 12th straight win. The season ended for Livingston Academy with a 25-7 overall record.

Next up for the Lady Bees (27-5) is the top-ranked Class 3A team in the state, the Page Lady Patriots. Page (29-2) dominated Lincoln County, 58-25, in Monday’s other semifinal, which avenged an upset loss in the District semifinals that landed the Lady Patriots in the consolation bracket. Page dominated White County, 72-51, in last Friday night’s Region quarterfinal round. Upperman and Page will square off Thursday night in Tullahoma.

Elsewhere in girls’ Region Tournament semifinal action on Monday, KK Graves scored 15 points and Cassie Gallagher added 13, as the Cookeville Lady Cavaliers (29-1) advanced to the Region 5-4A Championship game with a 61-32 rout of Gallatin. The Lady Cavs will meet Beech for the championship on Wednesday.

Clay County got their third win of the season over district rival Pickett County, this time ending the Lady Bobcats’ season. Halle Buford scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a convincing 66-51 victory for the Lady Babcats. Clay County (24-4) moves on to play Red Boiling Springs (23-7) in the Region 4-1A Championship. Clay County has beaten Red Boiling Springs three times during the regular season.

Also, Van Buren County (19-10) advanced to the Region 3-1A Championship game with a 57-31 win over Copper Basin, setting up a fourth meeting with Whitwell (24-8) for the title. York Institute got 16 points apiece from Ellie Leffew and Gabby Beaty in a 54-44 comeback win over Cannon County (13-14). The Dragonettes (24-5) will meet Westmoreland (27-3) in the Region 3-2A Championship game.

The season came to an end for the Warren County Lady Pioneers Monday night, as they fell to powerful Bradley Central, 45-21, in the Region 3-4A semifinals. The Lady Pioneers finish the season with a 24-8 overall record.

Boys’ Region Tournament semifinal games will be played Tuesday night.