Imposing its will and pace on Charlotte Christian in the second half, Science Hill won the semifinal battle of unbeatens 70-56 Thursday night at Hal Henard Gym to reach the championship game against Mt. Juliet.
Shy Copney and Gabby Lyon each scored 19 points for the Hilltoppers (15-0), which forced 10 turnovers and canned 57 percent of their shots in the second half.
“Except for one stretch, I don't think we played badly in the first half,” Science Hill coach Darrell Barnwell said. “But in the second half, I thought our depth wore on them a bit and we were able to turn the ball over or make them shoot quicker.”
Tianna Tarter added 10 points and seven assists for the Hilltoppers, which would become the second northeast Tennessee school to win the event. South Greene took the big trophy home from 1989-92 and was also the last area team to play for the championship, losing an overtime thriller to Wilson Central in 2008.
Gisele Bailey enjoyed a big game for the Knights with 23 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots. Maryah Mazyck added 19 points and seven assists.
SCIENCE HILL (70): Tarter 4-8 2-2 10, En. Reid 2-5 3-6 7, Knack 2-8 1-2 7, Copney 7-13 4-5 19, Lyon 8-9 3-5 19, Kennedy 0-1 0-0 0, Gregory 1-1 0-0 2, Smith 2-2 2-6 6, Em. Reid 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 26-49 15-26 70.
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN (56): K. Harris 1-10 2-2 5, Franklin 2-8 0-0 4, Mazyck 6-10 7-9 19, Brotherton 1-5 0-0 3, Bailey 10-15 3-4 23, M. Harris 0-1 2-5 2, Gill 0-0 0-0 0, Cherry 0-0 0-0 0, Thomas 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 20-52 14-20 56.
3-point goals: SH 3 (Knack 2, Copney). CC 2 (K. Harris, Brotherton).
Score by quarters:
Science Hill    13    14    19    24 -- 70
Charlotte Christian    12    13    10    21 -- 56