Home court certainly paid off for the Harlan Lady Dragons Thursday night as they upset the Williamsburg Lady Jackets 56-51 to win the 13th Region All “A” title. It was the second time Williamsburg has been denied a trip to Richmond for the small school state tournament. Williamsburg lost to Cumberland in the finals in 2007.
Harlan (10-7) jumped out to a 6-0 lead and led at the end of the first quarter 13-9. But, the Lady Jackets (10-7) hit Harlan with a full court press that caused seven second quarter turnovers.
Williamsburg took the lead on back-to-back three pointers by senior Samantha Burr, who led all scorers in the game with 27 points. Harlan didn’t score their first point until the 4:29 mark when Ashley Mullins connected on one of two free throws. Mullins scored the first field goal of the quarter with :32 left.
The Lady Jackets took a 18-14 lead in the game on Burr’s third three pointer of the quarter with 2:00 left, but that would be the only basket Williamsburg would score the rest of the period.
The lead changed hands three times at the start of the third quarter as Kristen Sears nailed a long shot to give Williamsburg a 21-20 lead. However, Mullins gave Harlan the lead for good and the Lady Dragons went on a 9-1 run. The Lady Jackets were never any closer than five points.
Burr hit six three-pointers in the loss. Sears finished the game with 13 points.
Harlan 56, Williamsburg 51
Williamsburg 9 9 8 25- 51
Harlan 13 5 21 17- 56
Williamsburg (51) – Burr 27, Sears 13, Ball 3, Jones 3, Siler 1, Stohner 4.
Harlan (56) – Mullins 26, Scruggs 13, Corey 7, Henson 2, Hamblin 4, Ball 2, Holland 2.
