Fayette Academy falls to Knoxville Webb

image and article from CommercialAppeal.com

Fayette Academy's Emily Reeves drives to the hoop on the way to 16 points in the TSSAA Division 2-A state tournament. Kelly Vittetoe (left) and Addie Tomlin of Webb School defend.

The Fayette Academy girls basketball team won't reach its goal of a state championship, but the Vikings accomplished something pretty memorable Thursday.

"We have 260 students in our school and I think all 260 were here," said Vikings coach Rick Sullivan. "These girls shut down the school."

Fayette Academy gave their supporters plenty to cheer about before falling to Webb, 53-47, in the semifinals of the BlueCross Division 2-A girls basketball tournament at Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University.

"These girls fought their little hearts out," said Sullivan. "I've been coaching for a long time and I'm as proud of this team as any I've ever had."

The Vikings, who finish the year at 28-2 were making their first state tournament appearance in school history -- and played like it early, falling behind 8-0.

But thanks to some big buckets by sophomore guard Emily Reeves, Fayette Academy led by two after one (17-15) and was only down seven at halftime. Considering they had 19 turnovers in the first half, it was quite an accomplishment.

"They had a really great press," said Emily's sister Samantha, who battled all game long to finish with 13 points and nine boards. "They put us under a lot of pressure."

The intensity level ratcheted up a couple of notches after the break, especially the matchup between Emily Reeves and Webb star Marjorie Butler, a Miss Basketball finalist who finished with 27 points.

Emily Reeves (16 points) was fouled on a 3-pointer with 53 seconds left and knocked down all three, bringing Fayette Academy to within three at 49-46. Moments later, with the score 50-47, she got loose underneath and had a good look to bring her team even closer but missed and Webb put the game away with free throws of its own.

"It was a roller coaster," said Sullivan. "We played ourselves out of the game, then we played ourselves back in."

Said Webb coach Shelley Collier, whose team improves to 27-5, "We fouled too much and put them on the line a lot. It was ugly, but we're glad to be playing on Saturday (in the title game.)"