By Tabitha Evans Moore | EDITOR & PUBLISHER

LYNCHBURG — Moore County switched back to non-district play on Tuesday with a home game against the Pisgah Eagles from Jackson County, Alabama. It was no “give me” game.

Overall, the Lady Eagles have earned 10 state championships – second only to Lauderdale County’s 13 for most in Alabama history. They’re coached by eight-time girls basketball state championship coach Carey Ellison and in 2019 boasted Alabama’s Miss Basketball Annie Hughes, who would eventually sign with Auburn.

Tuesday was the second match up in the 2024-25 series between the reigning Class 1A State Runners Up and the perennial Alabama 2A darling. Moore County downed the Lady Eagles 52-38 on December 5 in Jackson County. In that game, three Raiderettes – Ally Sharpe, Katy Fletcher, and Ellie Graham – all scored double digits to lift Moore County to the win. {To read our complete coverage of that game, click here.}

On Tuesday, Moore County jumped out on the Lady Eagles early – putting up 22 first period points while holding Pisgah to just eight points. The Lady Eagles got the tip off, but immediately turned over the ball. A couple of possessions later, Ally Sharpe scored the first points of the game – a left side trey for three points. Pisgah immediately answered, then Anna Harder swished a trey to make it 6-3. Sharpe then added another basket and Katy Fletcher added two from the line to build the lead to seven, 10-3.

Moore County then got their first foul of the contest – sending Pisgah to the line. They made both to cut the lead to five, 10-5. The Raiderettes then went on an eight-point run off a trey and basket from Emma Sazonov and three-point shot from Sharpe to make it 18-5. Sazonov and Sharpe made back-to-back baskets to end the first – giving Moore County an early 22-8 lead.

Moore County played aggressive defense on Tuesday that limited the Lady Eagles to perimeter shots for much of the first half. They swished nine from the perimeter for over half of their 44 points.

The Pisgah defense adjusted in the second period – holding Moore County to just six points, two baskets from Graham and another layup by Anna Harder. Moore County went into the halftime break leading Pisgah, 28-17.

The Lady Eagles attempted a third period comeback. They managed two from the line to begin the third period. Sharpe answered when Emma Dye stole a Pisgah pass and fed her the ball for a right side layup. Pisgah answered with a trey to cut the Moore County lead to eight. It was as close as they would get. The Raiderettes pushed the lead to double digits on a jumper from Anna Harder and kept their collective, Columbia blue foots on the accelerator down the stretch.

At the final buzzer, Moore County swept the series with a 59-44 win.

Sharpe, Graham combined for 22 points

Ally Sharpe led for Moore County with 17 points followed by Ellie Graham with 15 points. Other contributing Raiderettes were Anna Harder (7), Katy Fletcher (6), Emma Sazonov (5), Makenzie Goodwin (3), Bella Tucker (2), Emma Dye (2), and Audrey Harder (2).

Moore County will return to District 9 action on Friday with a marquee game against perennial rivals the Huntland Lady Hornets at MCHS Gym. Currently, the Raiderettes and Lady Hornets are tied for first place in district play with two wins each.

Moore County beat Eagleville 55-42 on January 9 and Fayetteville 72-62 on January 17. Huntland beat Fayetteville 57-46 on January 9 and Eagleville 46-41 on January 17.

On Friday, tip off takes place at 6 p.m. •

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