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Bethel (23-6), making its first appearance at the women's national tournament, will take on Holy Names College (27-7), who qualified by winning the California Pacific Conference title. Holy Names, making its sixth consecutive national tournament appearance, ironically was defeated last year in the first round by the NAIA East Region Champion Indiana University Southeast, who Bethel defeated this season for the title.

"We got a good draw for the tournament," stated head Coach Larry Eddings. "We are playing our best ball of the season. We've won 12 of our last 13 and our players are very confident going into Nationals." Eddings added, "We have nothing to lose out there. We have the ability to go far."

The Lady Wildcats spent their spring break preparing for their national title run. The team departed for Sioux City, Iowa on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 from the parking lot of Baker Fieldhouse. The team practiced from 1:00 -2:00 and was available at 3:00 for well-wishers to visit before departure.

For three quarters, the Lady Rebels stayed right with Cheatham County in their substate battle Saturday night.

But when the Lady Cubs adjusted their sights, the bulls eye appeared that much more in focus. Cheatham County shooters hit 7 of 16 three-point baskets, six in the second half, and deflated McKenzie (for a complete account of the Lady Rebels substate action, see Sports).

The Lady Rebels end their season at 16-9 while Cheatham County advances to play Martin-Westview.

"I'm proud of the kids; they worked so hard," said MHS coach Dan Ridley after the game. "I'm sad for the kids because they deserved to go out better than what they did."

McKenzie made the most of its first substate visit in school history. It forced 13 first half turnovers and appeared unfazed by the tenacious Cheatham County defense. In fact, McKenzie went into the locker room at halftime tied with the Lady Cubs at 21. A 12-3 run gave MHS a 21-19 lead late in the second period.

McKenzie cut the lead to one late in the third, 28-27, but that's as close as it would get. Cheatham County began its three-point barrage and closed the door on the Lady Rebels' state dreams.
"We've taken it to another level now; now it's tangible to these kids," Ridley said. "Now it will be easier to convince the kids that we can get back."

Senior Kristin Wiggins led MHS with 14 points. Abbey Lawson was tops for Cheatham County with 17 points.

The game began with Lakeah Lockhart scoring the first four points for the Fillies giving them a 4-3 lead before the Lady Lions stormed back to score seven uncontested points. Brooke Pritchard went to the line to score two and by the end of the first quarter; the Fillies trailed 12-6.

During second period action, the Fillies got two from Waneca Melton, two from Kodia Tharpe and four more by Melton to tie the game at 14. The Lady Lions hit a three and then Pritchard hit a three to again tie the game at 17. Lockhart and Melton each scored two more as the half concluded with Dresden leading 22-21.

The second half began with the Lady Lions storming ahead with five uncontested points, but the Fillies were not to be outdone. Ashlee Lockhart hit a lay-up, Tharpe scored two and L. Lockhart went to the line to nail two and tie the game at 27. The Lady Lions to a three-point lead on a basket by Kaci Bailey and then Melton hit one of two at the line as the third quarter ended with Dresden leading 30-28.

The fourth quarter began with Melton scoring two points to tie the game followed by another three-pointer by Bailey, giving the Lady Lions a three-point edge. L. Lockhart then scored two and Pritchard a three-pointer to give the Fillies a tie at 35. The game remained tied until the 1:34 mark when Melton scored two more to give them a two point lead. At the 1:07 mark Albany Ferguson scored two and tied the game at 37. The Fillies held the ball until the 10 second mark, but failed on two shots, sending the game into overtime.

The Lady Lions got first possession, but it was Pritchard who hit a three-pointer to give the Fillies a 40-37 lead. Melton then went to the line and hit the second of two opportunities, giving the Fillies a 41-37 lead. After Brooke Levister scored on a three-pointer, the Fillies managed to maintain control of the ball and the Lady Lions were forced to foul. L. Lockhart went to the line twice in the last minute and a half while A. Lockhart also missed two at the line. It was Pritchard who remained controlled and hit four of four opportunities in the final 7.8 seconds to give the Fillies a 45-40 victory.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS: HUNTINGDON: Brooke Pritchard 15, Waneca Melton 13, Lakeah Lockhart 9, Kodia Tharpe 6, Ashlee Lockhart 2. DRESDEN: Kaci Bailey 18, Brooke Levister 12, Albany Ferguson 5, Katie Quinton 3, Allica Austin 2.

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