MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Fillies did it! They became the first basketball team in Huntingdon High School history to not only make it to a state championship game, but also to bring home the gold ball.
The young team, comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores, defeated York Institute 43-41 at the Glass House in Murfreesboro on Saturday, March 14.
It didn’t come easy. Huntingdon trailed by as many as eight points in the fourth quarter after York Institute (30-7) opened the final period on a blistering 10-1 run to take a 37-29 lead with 5:23 remaining. The Fillies looked to be in serious trouble.
But Grier Bartholomew had other plans. She drilled four three-pointers, including the game-tying shot with 59 seconds left that knotted the score at 41.
Bartholomew finished with 12 points, all from three-point range, going 4-for-7 from deep.
After tying it up, Huntingdon’s defense forced a turnover by York’s Emma Pile.
Millie Luther came up with the steal and was fouled. She landed one of two free throws to give the Fillies a 42-41 lead with 46 seconds to play. Knox Bennett stole the ball again, and Wylie Kee converted one of two free throws with 26 seconds left to push the lead to 43-41.
York Institute had one last chance. Emma Cooper was fouled twice in the final 14 seconds but missed all four free throw attempts. The Dragons called timeout with 12 seconds left and got the ball to Pile for a layup attempt, but Bennett rose up for a block to seal the championship as time expired.
Kee finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Bennett added 8 points, 3 steals, and that crucial final block despite a tough shooting night.
Luther scored 7 points, including a three-pointer with 1:28 remaining that cut York’s lead to two and ignited the comeback.
Four Fillies were named to the Class 2A All-Tournament Team: Kee (MVP), Bennett, Wilson, and Bartholomew.
The Fillies finish their historic season 31-3, bringing home the first state championship in program history.
