EAGLEVILLE — Throughout the District 8 and Region 4-A tournaments, the Raiderettes secrets to success had been simple. Play aggressive defense, rebound under the boards, and move the ball around the perimeter until a lane opens up in the paint. Wednesday night in the Regional Finals game against the Lady Eagles that strategy fell apart as Moore County’s usually hot perimeter shooters cooled and Eagleville’s defense muted the inside game.

Low scoring first half

The first half of action felt like an unusually low scoring affair. Moore County’s Olivia Richards got the Raiderettes on the boards first with a three point shot that was nothing but net. The Lady Eagles then went on an eight point scoring run to make it 8-3 with just under two minutes remaining in the first period. Two quick scores by Carolyna Driver and Richards pulled Moore County to within one as time expired.

Things got a little testy in the second period. Referees called taunting on Lady Eagle Madelyn Moates and awarded Richards a technical free throw. She made it and tied the game, 8-8. Moore County and Eagleville then traded baskets to make it 13-13 at the half.

Momentum shifted in second half

In the third period, momentum slowly shifted Eagleville’s way. Moates and Anna Grace Clements got hot from the perimeter – swishing a pair of three point shots to help the Lady Eagles managed a 25-18 advantage with less than three minutes left in the period. Eagleville nudged their lead to nine points before Maecy Fletcher stole the ball and fed it to Richards, who scored to get them back within seven as time ended. The score at the end of three periods was 30-23.

The Lady Eagles started to pull way in the fourth period. At the buzzer, the Lady Eagle defeated Moore County in the Regional Final game by a score of 43-34. They’ll move on to play Pickett County on Saturday in a TSSAA Sectional game. The Raiderettes will play Region 3’s Clarkrange in a consolation game on Saturday. For those who plan to attend the GPS address is 5801 South York Highway in Clarkrange, TN 38553. Tip off is at 7 p.m. To see the complete Class A East Regional Girl’s Basketball Tournament Bracket, click here.

The Moore County Raiderettes placed second in the Region 4-A Tournament. Tournament officials named Raiderettes Carolyna Driver, Chloe Brazier and Olivia Richards to the All Region Team. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Moore County … covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}