The Tullahoma Wildcats earned a hard-fought 49-44 victory over the determined Lenoir City Panthers on Monday night at Tullahoma High School, securing their first trip to the state basketball tournament since 1978.
After the Wildcats clinched their State Sectional win, Tullahoma Head Coach Jason Welch celebrated the achievement by cutting down the nets in front of a thrilled crowd. The triumph marked a historic milestone for the program.
Coach Welch expressed his pride in the team’s effort and unity, emphasizing their ability to stick together and make crucial plays even when their shots weren’t falling. He credited their determination for the win and their 1-0 finish for the day.
Senior guard Xavier Farrell reflected on the team’s journey, highlighting the hard work they had put in since summer. He acknowledged the team’s perseverance through injuries and praised the contributions of the bench throughout the season. Farrell described the year as incredible and expressed gratitude for his senior season.
Tullahoma faced early challenges when Lenoir City came out firing, sinking three consecutive three-pointers to take a 9-0 lead with just over five minutes left in the opening quarter. But following a timeout, the Wildcats regrouped and responded with a 10-0 run to close the quarter ahead 10-9.
Farrell, who played a pivotal role throughout the game, put up a strong performance against Lenoir City’s defense.
Reflecting on the team’s growth, Farrell noted their maturity over the past two seasons. He pointed out their ability to stay composed and fight back in challenging situations, crediting their past experiences for their resilience.
The Wildcats maintained their edge through the second quarter, heading into halftime with a 25-20 lead. Tullahoma extended their advantage to 11 points early in the third, but the Panthers rallied to keep the quarter even at 15-15, leaving the Wildcats up by five entering the final period.
Lenoir City surged in the fourth quarter, opening with a 7-0 run to tie the game at 42 with just over four minutes remaining. But a clutch three-pointer from Alex Bobo a minute later put Tullahoma back in front for good. With efficient clock management and composure at the free-throw line, the Wildcats sank four crucial free throws down the stretch to seal their place in the state tournament.
Tullahoma’s celebration was filled with emotion and excitement following the thrilling win.
Farrell led all scorers with 27 points, breaking Tullahoma’s single-season scoring record previously held by Marlin Alsup. His career total now stands at an impressive 1,498 points and counting.
The Wildcats are set to face Jackson South Side in the Class 3-A Quarterfinals on March 20 at 12:45 p.m. at the Murphy Center on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro.
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