MCKENZIE, Tenn. — The Moore County Raiderettes gave the number one Class A team in the state all they wanted on Saturday in a state qualifying game. Moore County battled to head into the locker room with a 33-30 halftime lead but the McKenzie Lady Rebels pulled away in the second half. At the end of four periods, the Raiderettes fell to the Lady Rebels, 63-50.
The first period contained five lead changes with the two teams never being separated by more than three points. Trailing 15-14 with 26 seconds to play in the period, Erica Clifton went up for long two points and made it to give Moore County a one point edge.
Filled with a team full of guards who play a press defense one would have thought the Lady Rebels were accustomed to tempo but several minutes into the second quarter the Raiderettes switched to a man defense and many Lady Rebels stood with their hands on their hips, clearly gassed. They led for the first five minutes, then Olivia Richards stole the ball and hit a fast break for two points to tie the game, 26-26.
The Lady Rebels answered with one of seven first half three points shots to claw back the lead. Chloe Brazier answered with a basket inside and then two possession later executed the same play for a game-tying basket. She got the “and one” foul to take the lead. With 33 second remaining in the half, Charlotte Ray went inside for two – sending the Raiderettes into halftime leading by three.
Shots just would not fall in the second half for Moore County. Layups bounced in and out of the basket. Three point shots hit the rim. The Lady Rebels outscored Moore County by six in the third period and 10 in the second period to pull away.
Seniors Olivia Richards (16), Chloe Brazier (15), Erica Clifton (8) and Charlotte Ray (6) led for the Raiderettes. Sisters Maecy (3) and Katy (2) Fletcher also got on the board. Dani Dyer led for McKenzie with 18 points. The Raiderette defense held the Lady Rebels sophomore Miss Basketball nominee Savannah Davis to just nine points. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only locally owned newspaper in Lynchburg and also the only woman-owned newspaper in Tennessee. We cover 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.}