LADY BEARS REACH SEMIFINALS
GREENEVILLE -- Mt. Juliet used a strong third-quarter surge to power past Rogers (Ark.) 51-37 Tuesday in the second round of the GreenBank Ladies’ Classic at Hal Henard Gym.

The win upped Mt. Juliet’s record to 11-1 on the season and sends Coach Chris Fryer’s team into the tournament semifinals Wednesday night against Cosby (Va.). Mt. Juliet held the Lady Mounties (9-3) off the scoreboard for close to five minutes to start the third stanza in building a double-digit spread and never looked back.

Mt. Juliet held a narrow 13-10 lead after a quarter and increased the margin to 22-15 at the half. A 9-0 run to start the third gave the Lady Bears a solid cushion with the advantage growing to as much as 20. The fourth period featured essentially basket-swapping.

The Lady Bears improved their shooting significantly in the second half (52.4 percent) and finished 20-of-46 for the game for 43.5 percent. The Lady Mounties were held to an 11-for-28 shooting effort (39.3 percent). The game was a well-played one as Mt. Juliet committed a mere eight turnovers to14 by Rogers.

Post Caya Williams fired in 21 points for the winners, burying 10-of-14 shots. She also added a game-high seven rebounds. Helen Mitchner added nine, all on treys. Britt Bell dished out a game-high six assists and finished with seven points.

South Greene 61, Wilson Central 45
GREENEVILLE -- Twenty first half turnovers helped spell doom for Wilson Central Tuesday night in a 61-45 loss to South Greene in the second round of the GreenBank Ladies’ Classic. South Greene has advanced to the semifinals of the Ladies Classic for the second straight year, beating the team that has won the past two Classic titles.

Wilson Central dropped the Rebels in overtime in last year’s championship game. South Greene held a 26-14 halftime edge. They quickly spread the lead to 20 early in the third. Wilson Central clawed back to get within 13 with 3:30 left in the period, and had a chance to get closer but missed on a one-plus free throw opportunity.

The Rebs (9-3) responded with a 3-point play by Shelby Hicks and two more free throws by Hicks to get the lead back to 41-23, and the Wildcats couldn’t make another serious run.

Taylor Peterson had 15 points and nine rebounds for Wilson Central (6-5). Sydney Vanlandingham added 10 points. With the loss, Central was dispatched to the consolation bracket where they were scheduled to play Maryville Wednesday afternoon.