SHACKLE ISLAND -- District 9AAA champ Mt. Juliet held off a stubborn Lebanon High squad for a 43-36 win in Monday's Region 5AAA semifinal game at Beech High.

With the victory, Mt. Juliet advances to a the regional finals Wednesday at 7 p.m. vs. Beech. Both teams are assured of a berth in the TSSAA Sectional later in the week.

Mt. Juliet (24-8) led 20-15 at intermission, but could never pull too far ahead of the Devilettes -- who finished their season 17-14.

Sally McCabe had 14 and Ronjanae DeGray 13 for the Lady Bears. Madison Sloan paced LHS with 17 points, Abby Wright had nine and Julia Fox five.