Revenge by a lot: Lady Irish back to state

KNOXVILLE — Grabbing total control of the game by early in the second quarter, Knoxville Catholic’s girls enjoyed a dominant form of revenge on Hutchison School of Memphis, which beat the Lady Irish in the Division II-AA state title game last season.

Led by a game-high 22 points from sophomore wing Sydney Mains, featuring five three-point baskets, and 19 from junior point guard Jazmin Williams, Catholic easily disposed of these West Tennessee defending champs 58-25 in the Sectional final Saturday, Feb. 26, at KCHS.

Tinsley Walker, freshman guard/forward, added 11 points, including three 3-pointers, for Catholic, which improved to 21-9 entering this week’s “Final 4” state tourney in Cookeville.

So tight was the Lady Irish defense, “They were just trying to survive and hold the ball, and not attacking us,” KCHS head coach Travis Mains said.

At state Thursday and Saturday, March 3 and 5, “I feel like this is our second chance to prove what we really should earn,” Williams said.