Even though Signal Mountain lost its most experienced varsity girls' basketball starter to foul trouble with three minutes left to play against a previously unbeaten District 6-AA foe, a youthful bunch pulled through to take a leg up.
As one of four sophomore starters, Lamiah Walker helped the Lady Eagles gain control of the regular-season title hunt with a 53-50 home victory over Red Bank on Monday. They held off the visitors without Julie McGann at the end.
Similar to her older sister, Lennex Walker, who won five state track championships in one season, a quick burst for Lamiah led to a game-high 23 points. She had eight right away.
"We were really focused out of the gate and kept ourselves together all the way," Lamiah Walker said. "We played with energy. This win puts a target on our backs, but I feel like we have come a long way. We want to uphold our title."
Championships have come in bunches for Signal Mountain under coach Kendra Bell, whose teams are 105-42 overall with four first-place district tournament plaques in as many campaigns.
Bell was impressed by her team's ability to finish late after giving up a 11-3 run into halftime and trailing by three headed into the final quarter.
The last eight points were not scored by Walker, as the Lady Eagles finished out an overall team victory and a tiebreaker edge in the standings.
"You love to see young kids come through at clutch moments," Bell said. "We were not perfect tonight by any means, but our girls took another step forward. We made some free throws when we had to."
Kaitlee Riese sank a pair of free throws in the final minute and Signal Mountain (16-10, 10-1) was able to deny two potential overtime-forcing 3-pointers on two attempts in the final four seconds.
Red Bank (16-7, 10-1) had ended a seven-game skid to its budding rival by one point earlier in the season but fell this time despite freshman guard Savannah Washington shining. Washington led the Lady Lions with 15 points and blocked three shots thanks to springs in her legs. She also was 3-of-5 from long range.
"Savannah played amazing tonight," said fifth-year coach Bailey McGinnis, who has led Red Bank to three straight postseason district championship appearances with a title to show from it in 2017. "We have told her all along she is capable of taking over games. It's fun to watch her put it all together."
Signal Mountain sophomore Olivia Koontz had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Jaylah Hardy contributed eight points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in the victory.
Red Bank junior Bailey Lee finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, as she nears the 1,000 career rebound mark.
The Lady Lions made 14 of 28 free throws.
"We really wanted to stay perfect in the regular season in district play and win the title, but the sun will rise tomorrow," McGinnis said. "We know Signal Mountain is a team we most likely have to battle again with lots on the line. Our girls will keep fighting for the next game."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.