The Floyd Central girl’s basketball team delivered a dominant performance to defeat Knoxville Central 69–51 and claim the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic White Bracket championship.
The Lady Jags set the tone early and never let up, showcasing efficient offense, unselfish ball movement, and aggressive defense throughout the contest. The championship victory marked the second consecutive game in which Floyd Central recorded 20 assists.
Maddy Engle led the way with an outstanding all-around performance. She poured in 21 points while grabbing six rebounds and adding two steals. Engle was nearly flawless offensively, shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and knocking down 7 of 10 free throws.
Reagan Laferty provided a strong spark on both ends of the floor, finishing with 16 points, four rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Laferty was efficient from the field as well, hitting 6 of 10 shots and converting 4 of 6 attempts from the free-throw line.
Chloe Crase added another key scoring punch for the Lady Jags, scoring 12 points to go along with three assists and a rebound. Crase was 5 of 9 from the floor, helping keep the offense flowing and balanced.
As a team, the Lady Jags shot an impressive 57.8 percent from the field in the championship game, consistently finding high-quality looks and capitalizing on them. In the end, their ball movement and defensive pressure proved too much for Knoxville Central to overcome.
With the win, the Lady Jags capped off a strong tournament run and left no doubt about their ability to perform at a high level when it matters most, earning the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic White Bracket title in convincing fashion.
The win moves the Lady Jags to 9–3 on the season and sets up another big-time matchup on January 8. In the Class 2A, Section 8 tournament on Thursday, the Lady Jags will take on the defending 15th Region champions, the Johnson Central Lady Eagles.
The two teams currently sit atop the APSN 15th Region rankings. The Lady Eagles defeated the Lady Jags earlier this season on their home court, but with the rematch set for a neutral site, it should serve as a strong measuring stick for both teams.
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