The Forrest Lady Rockets displayed some true grit and determination on Tuesday night at Chapel Hill, giving the stout Summertown Lady Eagles all they could handle.

The Lady Rockets (2-4) held the high-flying Lady Eagles (6-1) to nine points in the first quarter and 10 in the second period to take a 20-19 lead at the half before Summertown came up with a big third quarter to seize the lead and hold on for the seven-point win.

“We thought the girls executed our game plan the best they could,” Forrest coach Corey Bishop said. “We wanted them to work for all of their points and slow them down.”

“They came in averaging 62 points a game so to hold them to 51 aided by free throws is something to build off of.”

Laura Mealer, who had a game-high 21 points in the contest, scored seven points in the first quarter to go along with a 3-pointer by Addison Bunty and four points by Alex Davenport as Forrest took advantage of some poor shooting by Summertown to grab a 14-9 lead.

“We think that we are getting better on the offensive end every game,” Bishop said. “We are starting to figure out our strengths and using that to our advantage. It's definitely an area in which I think we have improved in from the first game till now.’

“To hold the ball the last minute and get the last shot to go in at the end of the first quarter is a huge momentum play that can be hidden in the scorebooks.”

The Lady Eagles picked up the pace a little bit in the second quarter, outscoring Forrest 10-6 to trail by a single digit at the half.

The third period was the difference in the contest as the Lady Eagles got hot, especially Rylee Long, who scored 12 points in the quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers and Long made 6-of-8 free throws in the stanza to give Summertown a 35-28 lead, entering the fourth quarter.

“Give Summertown credit,” Bishop said. “They came out in the third quarter and took advantage of a couple of timely turnovers.”

“I was really proud of how we reacted to their mini-run. We calmed down and got back into our game.”

An early Mealer bucket in the fourth quarter cut the Summertown lead to five points before the Lady Eagles went on a big 10-2 run to open up a 13-point lead with 4:39 remaining in the game.

Forrest fought back once again, ripping off an 8-1 run behind a pair of old-fashioned three-point plays by Mealer and Davenport to go along with a Macyn Kirby bucket to make it a 46-40 contest.

Summertown, who returned their entire starting lineup from last season, showed their poise and experience as they held on for the 51-44 win.

“Summertown is one of, if not, the best team in 1A girls' basketball,” Bishop said. “For us to match them for the majority of the game is something that I think we need to have confidence in that we can play with anyone.”

The Lady Rockets had only four players in the scoring column with Davenport scoring 11 points, Kirby ended up with nine points, and Bunty had the one 3-pointer.

“Our goal is to make sure we are playing our best basketball by the end of the season,” Bishop said. “We think that from the beginning of this season until now, we have improved immensely.”

“It's going to take one practice and one game at a time. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and how you arrive at the finish line in the end.”

Long ended up with 18 points and Haley Jones was also in double figures with 15.

Ansley Burleson scored eight points, Kaley Campbell six, and Emily Brazier and Carlee Emerson had two points apiece for Summertown.

Forrest travels to Moore County (2-1) Friday night before returning home on Tuesday when they host Lawrence County (4-1).

“It'll (Moore County) be a tough task for us,” Bishop said. “They are a historically strong 1A power, they will test us.”

“It's a good game to have on the schedule, because we know they are going to bring it. You need those types of games on your schedule to be successful.”

Summertown 9 10 16 16-51

Forrest 14 6 8 16-44

Summertown (51): Rylee Long 18, Haley Jones 15, Ansley Burleson 8, Kaley Campbell 6, Emily Brazier 2, Carlee Emerson 2.

Three-Point Goals (4): Burleson 2, Long 2.

Free Throws (13-for-18): Long 6-for-8, Jones 5-for-8, Campbell 2-for-2.

Forrest (44): Laura Mealer 21, Alex Davenport 11, Macyn Kirby 9, Addison Bunty 3.

Three-Point Goals (5): Kirby 2, Davenport, Bunty, Laura Mealer.

Free Throws (9-for-14): Mealer 4-for-7, Kirby 3-for-4, Davenport 2-for-3.

Halftime Score: Forrest 20, Summertown 19.