ONE GAME AWAY

 The Williamsburg Lady Jackets will battle the home standing Harlan Lady Dragons for the right to represent the small schools in the All “A” State Basketball Tournament in early February. The two won their way to the finals Wednesday night at Harlan High School.

Williamsburg rolled past the Barbourville Lady Tigers, 58-28 while Harlan downed Pineville 59-49.

Senior Samantha Burr scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Lady Jackets to their second-ever regional final. Williamsburg has never won the title.

The Lady Jackets broke open a close game in the third quarter by out-scoring the Lady Tigers, 21-9. Williamsburg led at the half, 22-18, but outscored Barbourville 36-10 the rest of the way. Megan Stohner added 14 points while Jessica Ball tossed in 11 points in the win.

Williamsburg 49, Middlesboro 47

Rains saw his team fall behind 9-0 early in the first quarter of the 13^th Region All “A” Classic game to defending champion, Middlesboro. He didn’t panic. “You have to dance with who got you there,” said Rains, referring to his veteran team.

Once the jitters were over, Williamsburg rallied to beat the Lady Yellow Jackets, 49-47 and advanced to the semi-finals to play Barbourville.

The 9-0 deficit was soon 14-11 at the end of the first quarter and 27-22 at the half. But, Williamsburg got some help of the bench to make their second-half run. “We got a big lift off the bench from Chelsea Jones and Taylor Haynes,” said Rains. “They hit some big shots, but it was a total team effort.”

Rains feels his team has a good shot to win it all, but said it will not be easy. “If we beat Barbourville, we have to beat Pineville with Chelsey Smith or play Harlan at Harlan. Neither one of those will be easy.”

Williamsburg trailed Middlesboro 38-36 entering the fourth quarter and scored the first five points of the quarter including a three-pointer by Haynes that gave the Lady Jackets their first lead of the game, 41-38. The game was tied four times in the quarter with the last being at 47-47. A free throw by Jones gave Williamsburg a one-point lead.

Middlesboro had two chances from close range to take the lead, but senior Samanatha Burr stepped in and pulled down a rebound. She was fouled on the play with five seconds left. Burr hit one-of-two, giving Williamsburg a 49-47 lead and win. Middlesboro had a final shot, but missed at the buzzer.

Burr finished with 13 points in leading Williamsburg to the victory. Kristin Sears and Jessica Ball added nine points each.

Williamsburg 58, Barbourville 28

Barbourville            7  11    9    1- 28

Williamsburg            7  15  21  15- 58

   Barbourville (28) – Kelly 15, Smith 10, Liford 2, Johnson 1.

   Williamsburg (58) – Burr 21, Stohner 14, Ball 11, Sears 8, Siler 8, Haynes 6, Jones 2, Rowe 2.

Williamsburg 49, Middlesboro 47

Williamsburg            11  11  14  13- 49

Middlesboro            14  13  11    9- 47

   Williamsburg (49) – Burr 13, Sears 9, Ball 9, Siler 2, Stohner 2, Jones 8, Haynes 6.

   Middlesboro (47) – Shoffner 12, Coleman 6, Gilbert 12, Mason 6, Overbay 4, Cox 2, Hatchell 5.