Montgomery Shines As Tennessee High Moves On

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Danielle Montgomery was everywhere. She filled lanes, sped through the paint and zipped along the perimeter. And as Montgomery dominated and wore down the Sullivan Central Cougars, so did the Tennessee High Vikings.

Montgomery scored a game-high 21 points, leading the Vikings to a 61-39 victory over the Cougars on Monday evening in the 1-AAA regional semifinals at the Buck Van Huss Dome.

“We’ve been playing together since we were in the seventh grade. These girls are like sisters,” Montgomery said. “I know that when the lights are on that they’re going to step up, just as I will. And we have faith in each other.”

Tennessee High (27-3) will face Morristown West at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the regional finals at Dobyns-Bennett High School. The contest will mark the Vikings’ first-ever trip to the Sweet 16.

Sullivan Central’s (23-8) impressive season came to an end with its loss. The Cougars exceeded expectations and won the 1-AAA district tournament despite losing star senior guard Whitney Moody to an injury.

“[I’m] extremely proud of this team. They accomplished a lot,” Cougars coach Gary Surcey said. “It’s a good group. It’s a group that you coach for. … They all played their hearts out.”

Blakeley Burelson added nine points for the Vikings while Susan Graham contributed seven.

Brittany Fields led Central with a team-high 12 points and knocked down four 3-pointers, while Sara Belcher added eight points and Jacqueline Kestner scored seven.

Tennessee High turned a 27-16 halftime lead into a rout, and Montgomery led the Vikings’ charge. The Tennessee High senior guard, who has signed a letter of intent with the University of Massachusetts, spent the early part of the season laying low, allowing her Vikings teammates to find their way on the court and then stepping in when she was needed. But Montgomery has elevated her play – and Tennessee High’s – as the games have become more important and the pressure has increased.

“I knew what I could do,” Montgomery said. “Everybody was making a big deal that nobody on our team could play and I didn’t have any help. I knew that answer to that question. And now everybody else knows the answer to that question.”

The Vikings’ successful run in the regional playoffs avenges a disappointing end to the 2007-08 season. Wade said his team’s strong chemistry and selfless play have been key factors in Tennessee High’s upward climb.

“There’s good things happening for us,” Wade said. “It just seems like different people just step up each night.

“We’ve been in this situation before but we’ve never won. So we’re just excited to continue to do what we’re doing.”

The Vikings initially employed an aggressive full-court press defense and Sullivan Central wilted against the attack. Tennessee High fronted defenders, split lanes and prevented the Cougars from settling into their half-court offensive sets, and the Vikings jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead.

A tip-in 2 by Vikings post Cheyenne Thornsberry made it 13-7 Tennessee High as the game clock hit :00 at the end of the first quarter.

The Cougars pulled within 13-12 following a mid-range jumper by Belcher.

But an 8-0 Vikings run followed, and Tennessee High held a 27-16 advantage at halftime.

The third quarter belonged to the Vikings. Tennessee High’s pressure defense shut down and hammered away at Central, and the Vikings held a 38-23 lead heading into the final period.

Tennessee High limited the Cougars to nine points or less in the first three quarters and the Vikings were 14 of 22 from the free-throw line.

“We’re not done,” Burleson said. “We’re going all the way. We want to win state.”

TENNESSEE HIGH (61) – Burleson 9, Vance 4, Danielle Montgomery 21, Wysor 4, Graham 7, Mathesoon 3, Thornsberry 5, Baker 3, Huneycutt 5. Totals: 22 14-22 61.
SULLIVAN CENTRAL (39) – Kestner 7, Fields 12, Blizard 6, Sabo 6, Belcher 8. Totals: 14 6-12 39.
Vikings 13 14 11 23–61
Cougars 7 9 7 16–39
3-point goals – SC 5 (Fields 4, Blizard); TH 2 (Burleson, Matheson).

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