Photos submitted The Middlesboro Middle School 7th grade basketball team placed fifth in the state tournament while the 8th grade team reached the round of 16. Pictured is the Lady Jacket 7th and 8th grade team. Front row (from left): Malorie Carter, Cierra Coots, Jamayha Poe, Baylee Woody, Drew Collett, Morgan Thompson; back row: coach Debbie Green, Baylie Brunsma, Hannah Warren, Blair Green, Brenna Voges, Rachel Hensley, and coach Elgie Green.

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Coach Elgie Green huddles with his players during a time out at the Kentucky 8th grade state tournament.

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The Middlesboro Middle School girls basketball teams recently competed in the Kentucky state tournaments for 7th graders and 8th graders.

The Lady Jacket 7th grade team placed fifth in their state tournament and finish the season with a record of 20-2.

In 8th grade action, the Lady Jackets also won their pool to advance to the Sweet 16 but were upset in that round. MMS 8th graders finish the season with a record of 20-5.

Lady Jacket Blair Green was named to the first team 7th grade all-tournament team as well as the second team of the 8th grade all-tournament team.

Here’s a round-up of the MMS tournament games.

The 7th graders opened pool play in Lexington with a 43-38 win over Mason County. Green led the team with 17 points while Hannah Warren also posted double-figures with 11. Rounding out the Lady Jacket scoring were Rachel Hensley with seven points, Brenna Voges and Jamayha Poe with four each.

Next, the Lady Jackets got past Powell County 38-21. Green had the hot hand in that one with 24 points while Warren finished with 12 and Poe added two.

In the sweet sixteen of tournament play the MMS 7th graders defeated North Hardin Middle School 45 - 22 to advance to the Elite 8. Green continued her strong play in the tournament with 25 points to lead the way. Warren added nine, Malorie Carter and Voges four each and Poe scored three in the victory.

The quarterfinals saw the higher-seeded Lady Jackets get upset by Lewis County 34-28. Green scored 12 in that game while Warren added seven, Rachel Hensley four and Baylee Woody two.

The 8th grade Lady Jackets upset a very good Campbellsville team in pool play 34-30 to open the tournament. Hannah Warren led MMS with 13 points in that one while Green finished with 12. Baylie Brunsma added four points, Morgan Thompson three and Malorie Carter two to round out the scoring.

Game two saw the Lady Jackets get past Dorton Middle School from Pikeville 35-27. Green’s 17 points led the way with Warren added 11. Rounding out the MMS scoring were Burnsma with four and Hensley with three.

The two wins in pool play gave the MMS 8th graders a bye into the Sweet 16 where they were knocked off by Johnson Traditional of Louisville 45-33. Green led the Lady Jacket offense with 15 points in that one with Warren added 10. Brunsma finished with six and Morgan Thompson two.