For the second season in a row, not being one of the top two seeds in the District 12-AA Tournament cost Forrest a chance to extend its season.

Just like last year, Forrest had to make the long trek to Dover to take on Stewart County in the Region 6-AA Tournament opener.

The Lady Rockets lost by 14 points in that matchup, but Friday night was much different as the Lady Rebels hung on for dear life in a 52-50 win.

“Losing the last game of the year is always tough, especially when you have a group that is as close as this group is,” Forrest coach Jeremy Jean said. “It just stops so abruptly, one minute you are practicing and playing games and the next it's over.”

Junior Carissa Curtis led all scorers in the contest with 18 points, including three 3-pointers and Laura Mealer was also in double figures 12 points and a pair of treys.

Jaide Langley had seven points and one 3-pointer, Alex Davenport and Shea Lewis had four points apiece, and Ryann Lewis finished with three.

Tori Hale led the Lady Rebs with 14 points, two 3-pointers and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line, including a 4-for-4 effort in the fourth quarter.

Kaitlin Bramlett had 12, MacKenzie Smith and Karlee Bramlett added nine points apiece, Adalia Hewell and Amelia Borens had one 3-pointer apiece and Rylee Gafford rounded out the scoring with a deuce.

Stewart County ended up with a big nine-point advantage from the free throw line, going 11-for-15 while Forrest attempted just five charity shots in the contest and made two.

“That was a huge nine points and that is why the district semifinal is a key game,” Jean said. “Winning on the road in the first round of the region is an uphill battle and you have to play extremely well to do it.”

After the long bus trip, Forrest went toe-to-toe with the Lady Rebels in an even first quarter as both squads scored 16 points apiece.

“We broke the trip up by stopping to eat and shoot in Dickson,” Jean said. “We came out playing hard and playing our game.”

“We battled the whole game, much like we have all season.”

There wasn’t much daylight between the two teams in the second period either as the Lady Rebs scored 14 and Chapel Hill had 13 points to trail by a single digit at the half.

Forrest made a big move in the third quarter and some hot shooting combined with a solid defensive effort gave them a 42-36 lead, entering the fourth period.

Curtis had seven points in the stanza while Langley, Mealer, and Davenport added one field goal apiece.

“Being down one at the half was good, we had three girls with two fouls early in the second and played some pretty good ball to stay within one,” Jean said. “We were able to not let their pressure bother us in the third and limited them to one shot and done. That allowed us to get that lead.”

The Lady Rebels turned up the defensive pressure in fourth and began to foul Forrest to try to change the rhythm of the game and it worked as they edged closer and closer before going ahead late to secure the win.

“They only had two team fouls starting the fourth quarter and they picked up the pressure, not caring if they fouled or not,” Jean said. “And for the most part they didn't call it, which led to eight turnovers which they converted to points.”

“But even with all that, we had our chances to win.”

For the second year in a row, Forrest suffered a key injury during the season and had to adapt late.

Senior guard Anna Blanton suffered a torn ACL and not having her on the floor really impacted both the offense and defense.

Forrest still finished with an impressive 21-10 record and Jean was quick to point out that the season was still very successful, despite the early exit from the region tournament.

“I do think we had a successful season, and I hope the girls know that,” Jean said. “We had another season with a key loss to an injury and they could have folded it up when that happened or when we had that stretch of four games were we lost, and the way that we lost.”

“But they kept working hard and showing perseverance and I am extremely proud of them for that.”

Anna and Ally Blanton, along with Shea Lewis and Jaide Langley graduate this year, but Forrest still has Curtis and Mealer and bevy of young talent to have another good season in 2020-2021.

“The seniors did a lot for us in their careers and I am extremely grateful for all that they have done,” Jean said. “The underclassmen have to remember the feeling from Friday night and let that fuel them all offseason to get better.”

Forrest 16 13 13 8-50

Stewart County 16 14 6 16-52

Forrest (50): Carissa Curtis 18, Laura Mealer 12, Jaide Langley 7, Alex Davenport 4, Shea Lewis 4, Ryann Lewis 3.

Three-Point Goals (6): Curtis 3, Mealer 2, Langley.

Free Throws (2-for-5): Curtis 1-for-3, Mealer 1-for-2.

Stewart County (52): Tori Hale 14, Kaitlin Bramlett 12, MacKenzie Smith 9, Karlee Bramlett 9, Adalia Hewell 3, Amelia Borens 3, Rylee Gafford 2.

Three-Point Goals (7): Hale 2, Kaitlin Bramlett, Smith, Karlee Bramlett, Hewell, Borens.

Free Throws (11-for-15): Kaitlin Bramlett 5-for-9, Hale 6-for-6.

Halftime Score: Stewart County 30, Forrest 29.