CGHS senior forward Courtney Crowder fights through a pair of Grainger defenders to score two of her 14 points in Friday’s 72-44 win.

The Cumberland Gap Lady Panthers erupted for 48 points in the second half as they pulled away for a 72-44 win over Grainger Friday night.

The win capped a night of celebration as it was senior night and homecoming at CGHS. It also avenged a loss earlier this season at Grainger and made the Lady Panthers the four seed for the district tournament. The teams will meet again next Friday in Greeneville at 7 p.m. in the first round.

“It’s a big win for us especially on senior night,” said Lady Panther coach Tracy Brooks. “It’s an emotional night and homecoming and they want to play their best and go out with a win.”

Cumberland Gap senior guard Chelsea Graves, who was held scoreless in the first meeting with the Lady Grizzlies, didn’t score until she hit a 3-pointer just before the half to give the Lady Panthers a 24-19 lead.

Junior forward Mackenzie McFall, like Graves, picked up two early fouls and also only scored three points in the first half. The two combined for 16 third quarter points as Cumberland Gap stretched their lead to 47-35 after three.

“We know who their best players are and we did a little better job in the second half containing them,” said Brooks. “Chelsea and Mackenzie made some shots, everybody played well.”

It more of the same in the fourth as the Lady Panthers outscored Grainger 25-9 to win by 28.

Graves hit a 3-pointer and all five of her free throws in the fourth to finish with a game-high 20 points. McFall added a basket an a 3-pointer to finish with 15.

They were joined in double figures by senior forward Courtney Crowder with 14 and sophomore guard Emily Daniels with 12.

Daniels was held to just three points in the earlier loss to Grainger.

“It was a challenge to Chelsea and Emily tonight to play better,” Brooks said. “They had to prove something tonight after not showing well at Grainger and they did.”

Ashlee Acuff led Grainger with 19 points while Taylor Lamb added nine.

In addition to Graves and Crowder it was the final home game for senior point guard Jonna Adkins who ran the offense well and finished with three points and forward Chelsea Hurst who got the start and finished with four points.

“All of these seniors have played all four years and they all played well tonight and contributed,” said Brooks. “These girls have put in a lot of hours for their school and they’re all going to go on to do great things.”

Cumberland Gap finishes the regular season with a record of 17-9, 6-6 in district play.