CULLEOKA, Tenn. — The Raiderettes came out swinging in Tuesday’s road game at Culleoka – dominating through all four periods. In the end, they remain spotless in regular season play – notching at 75-29 road win over the Lady Warriors.

Tuesday’s road game felt like a bit of a mismatch from the beginning. The Culleoka girls have struggled so far this season – managing a 1-7 record with losses against against Forrest, Hillsboro, Livingston Academy, Collinwood, and two losses to Huntland. Their lone win happened against Zion Christian on November 22 during the Hall of Fame Tournament.

Top rated Moore County travelled to Culleoka boasting a perfect 4-0 record. On Monday, The Tennessean named Raiderette Ellie Graham as one of their Girls Athlete of the Week for December 2-7. Graham managed a double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds in a 63-40 win over Cascade last Tuesday.

{Editor’s Note: This year’s Raiderettes’ basketball coverage is free to all readers thanks to our community partner, Woodard’s Market.}

Raiderettes lead 43-15 at the half

Moore County jumped out to an early 18-4 lead and never looked back. Emma Sazonov got things started with a trey on the Raiderettes second possession. She drew the and one foul to give MCHS an early 4-0 lead. Culleoka answered with a layup underneath then Ellie Graham went up to two on the left side to make it 6-4. Culleoka again answered but it was as close as the Lady Warriors would get for the remainder of the game.

The Raiderettes then went on a 14-0 run thanks to points by Madison Dingler, Katy Fletcher, Graham, Ally Sharpe, Audrey Harder, Anna Harder, and Makenzie Goodwin to end the first period leading by 14.

Coach Spencer substituted early in the first period. Goodwin, Bella Tucker, and Hannah Martin all came off the bench in the first.

Culleoka ended Moore County’s 14-point run on the first possession on the second period. The Raiderettes then went on a five-point run with points by Sazonov and Fletcher to make is 23-6. The Lady Warriors Kendall Reischman scored a basket and one to shrink the lead to 23-11 before Moore County put up 18 unanswered. Moore County ended the first half leading 43-15.

Coach Spencer substituted heavily again in the third – at times looking a little more like a hockey team than a basketball team – replacing one “line” at a time with fresh legs. But the onslaught continued with Moore County putting up 24 while holding the Lady Warriors to just 10.

And even though they led by 28 at the half, Moore County never took its foot off the gas. Fletcher ruled in the paint – going in again and again nearly untouched for points.

Moore County boasts depth this season and it showed on Tuesday as the second string and third string came off the bench to contribute. Bella Tucker, Alexus Hornaday, Emma Dye, and Makenzie Goodwin all played well. Thirteen different Raiderettes saw playing time on Tuesday.

Katy Fletcher led with 16 points

Katy Fletcher led for Moore County with 16 points followed by the only other double digit scorer, Emma Savonoz with 13 points. Other contributing Raiderettes were: Emma Dye (8), Bella Tucker (7), Anna Harder (7), Ellie Graham (6), Ally Sharpe (6), Audrey Harder (4), Makenzie Goodwin (4), Alexus Hornaday (2) and Madison Dingler (2).

{Editor’s Note: These individual scores were corrected at 7:04 a.m. on Wednesday.}

Moore County scored 46 from the floor and just 18 from the perimeter. They were 11 of 17 (64 percent) from the charity stripe. For comparison, Culleoka scored 18 from the floor and six from the perimeter. They were five of seven from the line (71 percent).

The Raiderettes will move on to a home game against Forrest on Friday, December 13 at 6 p.m. They will kick off district play on January 10 against Eagleville. •

{The Lynchburg Times is a locally-owned and locally-operated community newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee and one of the few women-owned newspapers in the state. It’s owned by a Tulane University-educated journalist with over 20 years of experience. We’re supported by both readers and community partners who believe in independent journalism for the common good. You can support us by clicking here. }