by Bart Moss for the FCT

Phil Campbell 43, Red Bay 25

The Phil Campbell Bobcats defeated the Red Bay Tigers 43-25 to capture the 9th grade girls Franklin County championship.

Abby Davis and Carley Nix scored 18 points and 17 points respectively to power the Bobcats past the Tigers.

“We’ve worked hard all year long and this is just such a reward for these girls,” said Phil Campbell coach Tracy Pace. “The girls were a little down and out that we lost Darby [Elliot] to the varsity team but it was necessary.  Dakota [Elliott] did a great job moving up from the 7th grade team and handled it well.

“These girls work together as a team and that’s the only way you can win a championship.”

Phil Campbell outscored Red Bay in every quarter but it was 14-0 third quarter that gave the Bobcats the cushion the needed to win the game and the championship.

“We made some adjustments at halftime to a 1-2-2 defense,” said Pace. “We played really well that quarter and that is what gave us the space to get the win.”

Phil Campbell opened up the game with an 11-9 first quarter lead.  Phil Campbell was able to extend their lead every so slightly in the second quarter outscoring Red Bay 8-7 to take a 19-16 halftime lead.  The Bobcats shutout the Tigers in the third quarter 14-0 to take a 33-16 lead into the fourth quarter and cruise to the win.

Others scoring for Phil Campbell were Megan Bullock (4), Chloe Roberson (2), and Dakota Elliott (2).

Reagan Kuykendall led Red Bay with eight points.  Brooke Shewbart scored seven points, Carlie Lindley added six points and Savannah Shaw finished with four points.

9th Grade Girls Semi-Final Game

Red Bay 34, Belgreen 32

Red Bay defeated Belgreen 34-32 to advance to the finals of the Franklin County Tournament.  Reagan Kuykendall scored 14 points and Carlie Lindley added ten points in the win for Red Bay.

Johna Oliver and Kaley Vandiver scored eight points each for Belgreen.

Phil Campbell 42, Tharptown 26

The Phil Campbell Bobcats defeated the Tharptown Wildcats 42-26 to advance to the finals of the Franklin County tournament.  Abby Davis led Phil Campbell with 19 points.  Catie Dawson led Tharptown with 12 points.