Boyd-Buchanan’s Maddie Wright reaches for a rebound over Lakelyn Bouldin as Van Buren County defeats Boyd-Buchanan by a score of 57-38 in the Region 3-A girls’ basketball championship game at the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences on Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Playing in a gym just blocks away from her future college address, Van Buren County senior basketball player Lakelyn Bouldin looked very much at home in downtown Chattanooga.
Even when her team fell behind big early, the calm demeanor shown by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s lone signee for next season rubbed off on her teammates – and in workmanlike fashion they caught, then passed, then pulled away from Boyd-Buchanan for a 57-38 Region 3-A tournament championship victory Wednesday night at Arts & Sciences.
“It was actually exciting to play here, so close to where I’ll be playing for the next four years,” said Bouldin, who was named the region tournament MVP after totaling 35 points in two games, including 15 in the title game.
UTC coach Jim Foster was in the gym to watch Bouldin, who’s also a Class A Miss Basketball finalist, play in the semifinals on Monday.
“It’s always nice to see Coach Foster or any of the staff come watch me play. That motivates me even more,” Bouldin added. “I’m looking forward to coming down here and playing and making it my home for the next four years.”