The Lookout Valley boys’ basketball team overcame a sluggish first half, a familiar foe and home-court advantage all at once Tuesday to claim its eighth straight victory. The Yellow Jackets rallied for their fourth win over Signal Mountain in as many meetings this season, claiming a 54-39 Region 3-A semifinal win at Signal Mountain.
Staff Photo by Tim Barber/Chattanooga Times Free Press – Mar 1, 2011 – Lookout Valley’s Stracey Bonner, left, fights for position after Signal Mountain’s Jon Patton (34) loses the handle on the ball during first half action Tuesday at Signal Mountain.Earlier, state-ranked Arts & Sciences continued to look like a team destined to return to the state tournament, rolling past Van Buren County 59-37. Arts & Sciences will play Lookout Valley for the boys’ region title Thursday at Signal Mountain at 7.
After a one-day weather delay, the girls’ semifinals also were held Tuesday at Signal Mountain, with Marion County beating Copper Basin 57-48 and Whitwell holding off Arts & Sciences 39-38. Those county rivals will play for a fourth time this season, tonight at 7 at Signal for the region championship.
After scoring just five points in the first quarter, and giving up eight in the final 1:31 to trail at halftime, Lookout Valley took control in the third, outscoring the host Eagles 13-2, then continued to pull away.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the way these guys have come along lately,” Yellow Jackets coach Joe Galloway said. “It’s awfully tough to beat a good team three times, much less four and at their place.