The one District 6-A loss Lookout Valley's girls brought into Thursday's high school basketball game against Van Buren County came Dec. 9 at Van Buren and was by 24 points.
The Lady Yellow Jackets hosted this time and avenged that loss by defeating the Eaglettes 63-52.
"It was a pretty big one," Lookout Valley senior Shelby Guthrie said of the win over the program that has won the last four district titles.
Marion County leads the district this year at 2-0. Lookout Valley (11-6, 4-1), South Pittsburg (3-1) and Van Buren (4-2) were all tied for second in the loss column before Thursday.
"It's important to our season," Lookout Valley senior Tennille Rogers said of the victory. "Hopefully we can get a championship in district."
Post player Bailey Lee scored the Lady Yellow Jackets' first six points and totaled her 13 points in the first half, including 7-of-7 free-throw shooting. The half ended with Lookout Valley leading 33-17.
"I think the big thing was we got off to a good start," Lookout Valley coach Darren Crownover said. "It seems like every time we've played them the last few years we've been behind."
Establishing inside scoring led to open shots behind the arc, from where the Lady Jackets made 10 of their 16 field goals. Beth Crownover (17 points) made five 3-point shots and Alex Spence (14 points) made four.
"We just moved the ball very well," senior Crownover said. "We all participated and all understood what we were doing on offense very well."
Sparked by a 21-point third quarter, the Eaglettes battled back within 38-36 late in the period. But Lookout Valley's 3-point shooting and its huge edge from the free-throw line - 21-of-30 compared to Van Buren's 8-of-15 - helped the Lady Jackets stretch the lead back out and protect it.
Hannah Sullivan didn't score in the first quarter but led Van Buren with 20 points, including four of its six 3-point goals. Lily Fredricks scored seven of her 11 in the first quarter, and Tilly Dodson scored seven of her 10 in the third.
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter @KelleySmiddie.