Vinemont survives Class 3A, Area 12 semi-final with 52-40 victory over the Lady Yellow Jackets

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HOLLY POND - Call it fate. Call it fortune. Whatever it is to be called, the Vinemont Lady Eagles are definitely one of the most blessed teams on the hardwood in the playoffs with their 52-40 victory over the Winston County Lady Yellow Jackets in the Class 3A, Area 12 tournament. The reasoning is this. With the way fouls went against the Lady Eagles, Winston County was able to step to the free-throw line for a total of 39 attempts.

The Lady Yellow Jackets were only able to convert on 38% of the gift shots and missed a total of 24 charity shots. With the difference in the contest only being 12 points; if Winston County makes just a baker's dozen of the free-throws, they are the ones playing the host Holly Pond Broncos for the championship. But, close only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes.

Playing without their key offensive contributor in Jordan Melton, who went down in a 58-50 loss to the Cold Springs Lady Eagles February 3 with a season-ending ankle injury, would prove a huge obstacle to overcome during the playoffs. The first hurdle is over with, but now comes the task of taking on the Lady Broncos Monday, February 13, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. and then a sub-regional game later on down the road.

With her unconventional-release from the 3-point line, Savannah McAlpine gave Vinemont the early lead and senior Sadie Rogers pushed the lead out to 6-0 with a subsequent trey. McAlpine sets the ball to the side of her head near her right ear, then releases the shot that more than often finds its mark. The Lady Eagles closed out the first quarter with a 10-5 advantage, but struggled in the second quarter to maintain the lead.

Winston County worked its way into a 13-13 tie with 3:35 left in the half when Hannah Noblett went to attempt a 3-pointer, but was fouled by a Lady Eagle player. Noblett stepped to the charity stripe and sank all three attempts for the tie. The Lady Yellow Jackets tied it twice more and eventually laid claim to the lead on a shot from Allison Brockway with 1:19 left in the second quarter and Winton County held on to that lead going into the locker rooms.

McAlpine dropped in the first shot of the second half and gave Vinemont the lead for good as the Lady Eagles surged for a13-0 run to begin the third frame. Winston County could only manage to pull to within five points the remainder of the game, as Vinemont was able to sustain the lead and pulled away for the 12-point decision.

Sydney Wallace was a huge part of the Lady Eagle offense, as she stepped up her play in the absence of Melton and dropped in a game-high 19 points. Also for Vinemont was Rogers with 13 points, Katie Speer added nine points, McAlpine finished with seven points, while Kristee McKenzie and McKenzie Newman each chipped in with two points.

Winston County was led by Brockway and Noblett with 13 points, as they completed their careers with the Lady Yellow Jackets representing the senior class. Also donning the purple and gold for the final time was Cadi Hardy with two points and  Jessica Kelley with four points. Sophomore Brook Garrison added seven points and junior Cassie Elliot chipped in with one point.