A controversial change of possession call and two free throws quashed Ragland’s hopes of exorcising the McIntosh Lady Demons from the state playoffs.

“It’s a tough pill to swallow when you lose one like that,” coach Rush Rutledge said after his Lady Purple Devils were edged out, 46-44, in the last seconds of Tuesday’s state semi-final game. “We didn’t play four quarters, and that’s why we’re here with this loss,” Rutledge said.  

After a 9-0 run through most of the first quarter, Ragland was ahead by four points at halftime and by five at the end of the third quarter before behing held scoreless in the last three minutes of the game as McIntosh tied the score with 54 seconds on the clock.  Two free throws by Amber Roberts with one second left gave the Lady Demons the lead.

Emily Church scored 12 points to lead Ragland’s scoring, and senior Paige Gann added 10.

Ragland (27-5) claimed the Class 1A Northeast Region title by defeating Collinsville and Spring Garden last week, advancing to the semi-final for the first time since 1981, when the Lady Purple Devils finished as state runners-up.

“The community supported us every minute of the way,” Rutledge said.  “I appreicate it, and I know the girls do.”