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Macon County had bested Portland twice earlier in the season, but the third meeting proved to be a different story. The Lady Panthers set the tone early with a strong defensive effort, holding the Tigerettes to single digit scoring in three of the four quarters. Portland’s defensive intensity, coupled with efficient shooting, gave them control of the game from the outset.

The Tigerettes struggled to find an offensive rhythm, with Portland’s pressure forcing turnovers and limiting clean scoring opportunities. Despite a determined effort, Macon County was unable to mount a significant comeback in the second half. Typically, a strong team from beyond the arc, the Tigerettes managed to hit only four 3-pointers in the entire game, with two of them coming in the third period from Katie Jo Shockley and Allie Kate Austin. Portland’s perimeter defense played a key role in limiting Macon County’s long-range effectiveness, forcing them into difficult shots and disrupting their usual offensive flow.

Going into the fourth period, the Tigerettes trailed the Lady Panthers 36-19 and were attempting to claw their way back. Seniors Natalie Green and Payton Crump were the next two to score for the Tigerettes, Green on a quick layup near the beginning of the quarter and Crump a short time later as she got a rebound and made the second-chance basket.

Both girls also went to the free-throw line after the Crump basket. Green was able to hit 1 of 2 of her free throws and Crump sank both of hers, putting the score at 37-26 with 4:04 left to play in the game.

What ensued was basically a game of keepaway from the Tigerette, as the Lady Panthers kept the ball moving to prevent any scoring chances from Macon County and to milk the clock. Senior Kira Smallwood and sophomore Guorchiek Mut each scored two points in that time to put the score at 41-26 with only 3:07 left to play.

Shockley was able to make one final move to the basket, putting up a final layup for the Tigerettes, setting the score at 41-28. That is where the score stayed as the final seconds of the game clock ticked to zero.

With the loss, Macon County concluded another hard-fought 17-9 season, while Portland continued on its postseason journey which saw the Lady Panthers reach the state tournament for the first time with a 24-11 record. They will face Heritage at 11 a.m. Thursday at Middle Tennessee State’s Murphy Center in Murfreesboro.