ROGERSVILLE-Despite being handed a number of adverse situations on Tuesday night, the Cocke County High School Lady Red prevailed to move within one game of making history.

Cocke County overcame a slow tempo and an imposing front line of the Cherokee Lady Chiefs to take a 41-29 win in District 2-AAA play. The victory clinched the top seed in next week’s District 2-AAA tournament for the Lady Red and clinched a share of first place in the district.

"I'm very proud of the girls," CCHS coach Jeremy Byrd said. "They've worked hard and I think they've earned it.

"We have won close game after close game," Byrd said. "I'm real proud of what we've been able to accomplish thus far."

However, Byrd wants no question in the final league standings. The first-year CCHS coach wants a regular season championship for his team.

Cocke County (17-9, 12-1) can take outright first place in the district with a victory over last place South Doyle on Friday night. That result would give CCHS its first regular season District 2-AAA title since 1987.

"We want to win, we're going to come out and play hard," Byrd said. "We can play relaxed knowing that everything is taken care of as far as seeding goes, but we don't want any questions or to be tied with Morristown West.

"We want (the championship) outright, so we know for ourselves and everyone else knows," Byrd said.

For the full story, see the February 7th edition of the Newport Plain Talk.