Tellico Plains “Zoned Out” by Oneida Lady Indians 49-48

By Terry Futrell

While Tellico Plains sank eight 3-point baskets to only four for Oneida, it was the trey by Kendyl West with 19.7 seconds to go to put Oneida ahead that will long be remembered by fans. The Lady Indians were down by two, 48-46, when West sank what would prove to be the game winner, leading the Lady Indians to a 49-48 victory over the Tellico Plains Lady Bears.

While West’s clutch shot was critical for Oneida’s victory, it was Harley Boyatt who got the Lady Indians off and running against one of the top-ranked teams in the State. In what was perhaps her best performance of the season, Boyatt scored Oneida’s first four points and six of the Lady Indians first 12 points in the game.

Key to the Lady Indians was the impenetrable zone defense that we have seen used so effectively throughout the season. While Tellico Plains did a great job of moving the ball around the perimeter and passing across court over the zone, they had much difficulty in getting the ball inside for shots in the paint. At one point late in the game, the entire Oneida zone moved to mid court, making it extremely difficult for Tellico Plains to get the ball down the court. With the Lady Indians zone, Tellico Plains All-State performer Samantha Russell was limited to five baskets in the game, with four of those from outside the 3-point line. In total, Oneida’s zone limited the Lady Bears to seven baskets inside the 3-point line.

Both teams were slow-starting in the game. Oneida jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first two minutes before experiencing a 5-minute scoring drought. Meantime, the Lady Bears took the lead at 8-4 with 54 seconds to go in the first period. Oneida closed out the period with three points, trailing 8-7 at the end of one.

Oneida regained the lead 10-8 at 7:06 in the second quarter when Chloe Terry swished a 3-pointer. The Lady Bears regained the lead 11-10 at 6:42 on the clock and went ahead by six, 18-12, with five minutes left in the half. Oneida then scored eleven in a row to take a 23-18 lead  with 1:58 on the clock. Both teams scored again to close out the first half with Oneida leading 25-21.

Oneida maintained their lead as Tellico Plains closed the gap to one point, 35-34, at 2:25 in the third period. The Lady Indians held, closing out the period with a 40-37 lead.

The Lady Bears came charging back in the fourth quarter and took a 41-40 lead with 5:56 to go in the game. Tellico Plains extended its lead to six, 46-40, with 4:23 to go. Oneida fought back and tied the game at 46-46 with 1:46 to go, but the Lady Bears went ahead 48-46 with 38.9 seconds remaining. Then, enter Kendyl West. The Lady Indians concentrated on the right side with West positioned in the left corner. Tellico Plains’ coach frantically tried to get his players at the other end of the floor to stay back on defense covering West. Suddenly, there was a pass across court to a wide open West, who hit nothing but net to put Oneida ahead 49-48 with 19.7 seconds remaining. The Lady Bears frantically, unsuccessfully tried to score in the waning seconds and the Lady Indians rejoiced with a 49-48 victory.

A disappointed Tellico Plains team returned home with their season ended much earlier than expected. The victorious Lady Indians move into the Region 2-1A championship game on Wednesday where they face the Midway team that defeated them last week for the district championship. Win or lose on Wednesday, both Midway and Oneida are assured of spots in sectional competition.