Now they will have stories to share with their children and grandchildren some day after entering the EHS history books with a hard-fought 34-32 win over Robert C. Byrd Thursday night in the Class AAA, Region II, Section 2 title game.

It’s the first sectional crown for the Lady Tigers since 2008. They now have a chance to add more to their story in next week’s co-regional final against the loser of today’s contest between Philip Barbour at East Fairmont in the section 1 championship tilt.

Elkins has relied on strong defense and hustle throughout the year, and Thursday night was no different, especially a game-changing moment early into the final quarter.

Trailing 19-18, Maddie Belan sank the first of two free throws to draw the Lady Tigers even. The second attempt, however, was off target but a hustling Belan garnered the rebound and later scored on a layup to give Elkins a 21-21 lead.

The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle Elkins’ Gracelin Corley drives to the basket against Robert C. Byrd Thurday night in the Class AAA, Region II, Section 2 title game.

A basket by Martina Howe on the other end was answered by senior Gracelin Corley, who converted an old-fashioned three-point play to put the Lady Tigers back in front, 24-23, with 4:44 left in regulation.

The teams exchanged the lead over the next 2 minutes, with Emerson Haddix hitting a key jumper and Corley drilling a 3-pointer during that span.

Then with the game tied at 30-30, Belan hit a short-range jumper with just :45 left in the game to give the Lady Tigers the lead for good.

Corley canned two free throws to extend the advantage to four points with 16.7 ticks to go.

Two from the charity stripe from Howe cut the deficit to 34-32 and after an Elkins turnover on the inbounds, RCB had a chance to tie or take the lead but a pair of shots just before the horn sounded were off the mark.

The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle Elkins’ Maddie Belan makes her way to the basket against Robert C. Byrd in Thursday night’s Class AAA, Region II, Section 2 title game at Richard P. Simmons Memorial Gymnasium.

Elkins had battled back after trailing 14-9 at halftime in a low-scoring contest by outscored the Lady Flying Eagles, 8-3, in the third frame to tie the game at 17-17 going to the fourth quarter of play.

Corley led the Lady Tigers with 12 as she now needs just three points to reach 1,000 for her career.

Belan chipped in 10.

Howe led RCB with 14 points in the setback.

The Lady Flying Eagles (15-9) will visit the section 1 champion in next week’s co-regional finale.

Elkins is now 17-7 and hosts the co-regional on Wednesday.