The Fannin County Lady Rebels put on a show in the second half of the region championship game against Chattooga Thursday, February 18, to win the game 68-39 and claim their first AA Region 7 Champions title since 1999.
The Lady Rebels fell behind early in the first as Chattooga outscored Fannin 15-10.
Natalie Thomas and Reagan York combined for six points in the first as Thomas drained a long-range, three-point basket, and York worked the paint for a two-point bucket and a free throw.
Courtney Davis netted a two-point basket, followed by Paige Foresman and Abby Ledford converting a free throw each. At the end of the first quarter, the Lady Indians led the Rebels 15-10.
Fannin battled back in the second to outscore the Lady Indians 15-11. Davis erupted for 11 points, scoring two, two-point baskets and seven free throws. Olivia Sisson and Becca Ledford netted a two-point basket each to cap the scoring for the Lady Rebels as Chattooga clinged to a 26-25 lead at halftime.
The Lady Rebels halftime adjustments were key as they almost completely shut the Lady Indians down in the third quarter, outscoring Chattooga 25-8. Becca Ledford led the Lady Rebels with 12 points on two, three-point baskets and three, two-point buckets. Thomas drilled two, long-range, three-point baskets and a two-point bucket for eight points, while York got a three-ball to fall and Abby Ledford netted a two-point basket. With the strong third quarter, the Lady Rebels jumped out to a 50-34 lead to start the fourth quarter.
Fannin held the Lady Indians to just five points in the fourth as Abby Ledford led the Lady Rebel with six points on two, three-point baskets.
Becca Ledford got two, two-point buckets to fall and converted a free throw, while Mackenzie Johnson sank a three-ball and Davis got a two-point bucket to drop. Thomas capped the Lady Rebels scoring by converting two free throws to give the Lady Rebels 18 points in the fourth quarter and a 68-39 championship win.
Head Coach Ryan Chastain said, “We got down early. We trailed by eight at one point in the second quarter. When I walked into the locker room at halftime I could see that look of determination on their faces. They had no doubt or fear. They were ready to go take the game in the second half. We made a few adjustments, and they just exploded in third quarter! We won the third 25-8 and won the fourth 18-5. That second half was incredible to watch, and those girls deserve all the credit. We had been talking about winning the region championship all season, and they were not going to be denied! It was a special night for everyone! Sometimes as a coach you just have to turn your players loose and trust them to go win it, that’s exactly what happened!”
The Lady Rebels will now compete as a one seed in the state tournament after a very successful regular season, going 14-0 in region play.
FCHS 10 15 25 18 - 68
CHS 15 11 08 05 - 39
Lady Rebels summary:
Points: B. Ledford 19, Davis 15, Thomas 13, A. Ledford 9, York 6, Johnson 3, Sisson 2, Foresman 1.
Free throws: Davis 7-7, B. Ledford 1-1, Thomas 2-3, Foresman 1-2, A. Ledford 1-2, York 1-2.