Junior guard Morgan Bone was determined to not let East Hamilton play its last game of what has been a memorable season.
With 48 seconds left and the score knotted up in the Region 3-AAA semifinal matchup against Sequoyah it was Bone’s heroics that pushed the Lady Hurricanes over the top for a thrilling 46-43 home victory Monday night.
“In our timeout I looked at Morgan and got into her,” East Hamilton first year head coach Kayla Burse said. “But she knows we have that strong relationship to where I can do that. She always responds so beautifully and is very mentally tough. She lives for moments like this.”
Out of the timeout, Niya McGhee brought the ball up the right sideline and found Bone quickly over the top as she cut down the right baseline to lift a beautiful shot high off the glass and in for a 45-43 lead.
Bone wasn’t finished as she grabbed a pivotal rebound with 17 seconds left and hit a free throw on the other end to build a 3-point lead. On Sequoyah’s final possession she also dove for a loose ball near midcourt to force a jump ball with the possession arrow going East Hamilton’s way with 2.2 seconds remaining in regulation.
“I just knew we had to win this game and pull it out anyway we could,” said Bone, who helped the Lady Hurricanes (20-11) to their first region championship game since East Hamilton’s 2017-18, 26-win season. “For us to make it to the region championship means the world to me. This program wants to make history and make it all the way. We want to be the team out of Chattanooga to go to state.”
Lady Hurricane senior McKenna Hayes was on a roll offensively in the second half as the Appalachain State signee had 11 points after the break. She scored the first seven points of the third quarter as she did work down low and then hit a left corner 3-pointer.
Sequoyah took the lead with 1:28 remaining at 43-41, but freshman point guard Christal Collins stepped up with an important put back basket to tie things up leading to Bone’s dominant final minute.
“Our goal from day one was to make it to the sectionals and I am so proud of every single one of them,” Burse said. “This is a team that is making history. They fight hard and never give up. We are excited for Wednesday night.”
East Hamilton will host Fulton (21-11) for the region title at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Fulton defeated Signal Mountain 64-41 in Monday’s other 3-AAA semifinal.
Freshman Carlee Lowry scored 13 of her 19 points in the first quarter as Signal Mountain trailed 16-15. However, Fulton made seven 3-pointers, four of which came from Jamia Simmons in the second quarter to build a 35- 24 halftime lead. Sammy Taylor scored 19 points for the Lady Falcons.
Signal Mountain junior Aubryn McKendrick scored six of her 10 points in the second quarter.
“This game is all about reaching your potential and being the best you can be,” Lady Eagles coach Kendra Bell said. “We came a long way and I am proud of my kids. They represent me, the community and Signal Mountain High School in such a great way. I am so blessed and very thankful.
“The future is bright. Our girls gained a lot of experience this year and they will only get better with time.”
Region 2-AA semifinals
> McMinn Central 61, Meigs County 45
> Polk County 55, Tellico Plains 54 (2 OT)
Region 3-4A semifinals
> McMinn County 53, Coffee County 51
> Bradley Central 45, Warren County 21
Region 3-A semifinals
> Whitwell 57, Sale Creek 38
> Van Buren County 57, Copper Basin 31
BASEBALL
> Calhoun 8, Dalton 1: Andon Lewis drove in a pair of runs with a home run and double, while Andrew Purdy had a pair of hits and earned the pitching win by going three scoreless innings and striking out five in relief for the 8-0 Yellow Jackets. Brock Johnson had two hits for the Catamounts.
> Coahulla Creek 4, Heritage 3: Ryan Langford and Ben Glines each had two hits and drove in a run and Luke Swiney added a pair of hits as the Colts downed the Generals. Landon Skeen drove in two runs on two hits and Gage Shaver added two hits for Heritage.