Gatlinburg Pittman Lady Highlanders Fall 65-42 To Huntingdon, End Season

The Gatlinburg Pittman Lady Highlanders entered Friday afternoon's contest with the chance to advance to the TSSAA State Championship game against York Institute and a chance at revenge, however that was not to be after the Huntingdon Fillies knocked off the Lady Highlanders 65-42.

Gatlinburg Pittman would get off to a hot start with a pair of three's from senior and AA Miss Basketball Maliyah Glasper, but early foul trouble and turnovers turned the tide and Huntingdon poured on the pressure to take the lead at the end of the first quarter 18-13.

The Fillies held the Lady Highlanders to only 9 points, on 3-18 shooting from the field and 1-8 from three point land, in the second quarter and led at the half 37-20. Huntingdon would shoot 20 free throws total, compared to the 4 from Gatlinburg Pittman. The Fillies would shoot 60% from the line, while GP did not convert any of their four free throws in the first half.

The Lady Highlanders would look to make a second half comeback, as they had done in their game on Wednesday against Gibson County but that would not be the case this time. Huntingdon continued with pressure and the turnovers and fouls were just too much to get over as the Lady Highlanders would ultimately fall 65-42. Senior Reese Ownby would foul out midway through the third quarter as her time as a Lady Highlander would come to a premature ending.

Gatlinburg Pittman was paced once again by senior Chloe Mejias with 17 & 9 rebounds, ending only one board away from a double-double. Glasper netted 14, Addi Wear contriubuted 6, Caitlin Hamilton with 3, and Cheyenne Byrd with 2. The Lady Highlanders season ends at 31-4 and in the Final Four for the third straight year.