Author: Charlie Bateman
They needed overtime, but the Nolensville High School girls' basketball team advanced to the Region 6-4A semifinals Friday night with a 54-47 overtime win against Franklin in an elimination battle.
The Knights will play Monday night against tournament host Hillsboro at 6 p.m. for a shot at a region title. Hillsboro topped Independence 42-27 in its quarterfinal.
Nolensville coach Chris Ladd credited his defense for holding strong and coming through down the stretch.
"We adjusted and stayed with our defensive plan," he said. "We locked it down when we needed to.
"Over the course of the game we figured out what they were trying to get."
Nolensville held a slim lead 37-32 in the third quarter after the Admirals chiseled down a 24-15 halftime deficit.
Both Cecilie Brandimore and Amy Elliott connected for 11 points apiece after halftime to lead the Franklin charge. Brandimore, who finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, scored a layup to tie the game with 54 seconds remaining in regulation.
Neither team could break thorough in the remaining seconds to force overtime where the Knights pushed back in front, including going 5-for-8 at the foul line. Brandimore provided the lone bucket for the Admirals.
"We started the first half really strong, and in the second half I feel like we fell apart a little bit," said Nolensville freshman Addison Wiemann, who scored 16 to lead the Knights. "Everybody contributed with rebounds and blocks at the end."
Wiemann added eight rebounds, six blocks and four steals. Olivia Galloway chipped in 12 for Nolensville, which also had a scare when Wiemann went down with an ankle injury. She was able to walk off under her own power.
"For Addison to go down with her ankle and get several rebounds and steals was a gutsy performance," Ladd said. "Olivia is always there for us. Tonight she struggled early, but I told her that her time was coming."
Galloway contributed five big points in the fourth.
Lyla Gardner added nine points and eight rebounds in a strong effort for the Admirals.
Ladd said Monday's semifinal will be tough battling the Burros on their home floor.
"It will be a tough game," he said. "We just need to worry about what we do and hope it is enough."
Nolensville girls 54, Franklin 47, OT
FHS 8 7 17 13 2 – 47
NHS 11 13 13 8 11 – 54
FHS (47) – Emma Powell 6, Cecilie Brandimore 19, Amy Elliott 11, Lyla Gardner 9, Liza Kate Thurman 2.
NHS (54) – Leilani Washington 6, Brennan Rigsby 3, Reese Mall 1, Olivia Galloway 12, JR Moyer 7, Sarah Brewer 5, Addison Wiemann 16, Emily Hunter 4.
3-pointers – FHS 4 (Powell 2, Brandimore, Elliott), NHS 3 (Moyer, Brewer, Wiemann). Total Fouls – FHS 12, NHS 11. Fouled Out – None.