Hot shooting Lady Jackets knock Forrest out of postseason

Anthony S. Puca Sports Editor
Posted 3/1/21

After a second place finish in the District 12-AA Tournament, the Forrest Lady Rockets hosted its first region game in eight years as they took on the District 11-AA Tournament third place Fairview Yellow Jackets Friday night at Chapel Hill.

Things did go as planned as the Yellow Jackets came out in a swarm and never got off as they easily beat the Lady Rockets 48-36.

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Hot shooting Lady Jackets knock Forrest out of postseason

Posted

After a second place finish in the District 12-AA Tournament, the Forrest Lady Rockets hosted its first region game in eight years as they took on the District 11-AA Tournament third place Fairview Yellow Jackets Friday night at Chapel Hill.

Things did go as planned as the Yellow Jackets came out in a swarm and never got off as they easily beat the Lady Rockets 48-36.

“We all wanted to win really badly,” Forrest coach Corey Bishop said. “I thought that the girls played extremely hard especially in the second half, but I couldn't be prouder of our team and their effort.”

Fairview opened with a quick 7-0 burst before the Lady Rockets fought back, beginning with an Addison Bunty 3-pointer.

Megan Mealer found Macyn Kirby on a nice inbounds pass under the Forrest basket to make it 7-5 and moments later, Laura Mealer dished to Ryann Lewis in the low post, tying the game at 7-7 with 3:33 remaining in the first quarter.

“We responded with a nice 7-0 run, but we didn't defensive rebound very well the rest of the first quarter,” Bishop said. “That's a huge part of the game especially in the region where every team is really good.”

As quick as Forrest tied it up, Fairview turned up the pace and went on a 12-0 burst the remainder of the first period behind 3-pointers by Kelley Gossage and May Jane Kinton to give the Lady Jackets a 19-7 lead after the first stanza.

“They were a really tough team to scout because of their quick style of play,” Bishop said. “They did a great job of getting the ball inside early on in the game and that got their offense going early on.”

The Lady Rockets had more fight in them as they went on a 7-0 run to start the second quarter on one Megan Mealer free throw, a three-point play on a drive to the hoop by Laura Mealer and another long bomb by Bunty, making it a 21-14 contest.

Just like the first quarter run after a Forrest comeback, the Lady Jackets came up with a backbreaking 11-0 run the remainder of the second quarter and took a commanding 32-15 lead at the half.

“It seemed that every time we thought we were about to make a little run, they would answer which is a testament to their coach and their program,” Bishop said. “I was really proud of our team and the way we came out in the second half and played.”

There was barley any scoring in the third period as Laura Mealer scored four points for Forrest in the stanza and Gossage scored five for Fairview, which took a 37-19 lead to the fourth period.

Bunty scored the first five points of the first quarter on a lay-up and another long bomb to make it a 37-24 contest and a few possessions later, Laura Mealer nailed a 3-pointer to make it a 12-point game at 39-27.

Forrest kept grinding and with 2:06 left in the period, they trailed by 10 at 41-31after two Laura Mealer free throws.

A Rylie Dillingham bucket for Fairview was followed by Bunty’s final 3-pointer of the game, cutting the Lady Jackets’ lead to nine points at 43-34 before the visitors went 5-for-6 from the free throw line down the stretch to seal the win.

“We were extremely proud of the way we came out in the second half and tried to get back into the game,” Bishop said. “I take full responsibility as their coach by not having us ready to play starting the game, but I thought their effort in the second half was great and our players deserve a lot of credit.”

Bunty had 18 points to lead the Lady Rockets in the scoring column and Laura Mealer was also in double figures with 13 and finished her stellar Forrest career with 1,044 points.

“It was definitely a fun season throughout,” Bishop said. “I thought that our team improved immensely throughout the entirety of the season and to get to play in a district championship and host a region game that hasn't happened here in eight years, so that is a positive step in the right direction for the program.”

“We return a lot of experience next year, so I expect our returning players to improve and get better throughout the off-season. We are very excited as a coaching staff with our team that is returning and ready for the season next year.”

Lewis and Kirby had two points apiece and Megan Mealer had one made free throw.

Kelsey Gossage led Fairview with 18, Mullens had 13, Kinton nine, Dillingham six, and Brooke Vissor ended up with two markers for the Lady Jackets, who traveled to top-seeded Creekwood.

Fairview (20-9) won both regular season games versus the Lady Red Hawks, but lost 67-34 Monday night.

Stewart County upset Nolensville at home on Friday and travelled to Community (13-12) for the other region semifinal Monday night where they beat the Viqueens 57-53.

Creekwood (27-5) hosts Stewart County (22-8) on Wednesday for the Region 6-AA championship.

Fairview 19 13 5 13-48

Forrest 7 8 4 17-36

Fairview (48): Kelsey Gossage 18, Kaycie Mullens 13, Mary Jane Kinton 9, Ryley Dillingham 6, Brooke Vissor 2.

Three-Point Goals (4): Mullens 3, Kinton.

Free Throws (4-for-9): Mullens 2-for-4, Gossage 2-for-5.

Forrest (38): Addison Bunty 18, Laura Mealer 13, Ryann Lewis 2, Macyn Kirby 2, Megan Mealer 1.

Three-Point Goals (5): Bunty 4, Laura Mealer.

Free Throws (7-for-11): Laura Mealer 4-for-7, Bunty 2-for-2, Megan Mealer 1-for-2.

Halftime Score; Fairview 32, Forrest 15.