By Tabitha Evans Moore | Editor & Publisher
LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — After trailing, 28-21 at the half, the Moore County Raiderettes went off in the second half against the Fayetteville Lady Tiger last night to mount a 67-45 victory and improve their district record to 3-2 headed into the stretch where every wins counts toward better seeding in the district tournament.
Bella Tucker had a breakout offensive game — leading in the first quarter and going on to put-up double-digit numbers. Equally impressive was the Raiderette bench who did a lot of heavy lifting. Emmeree Greenway got first half playing time and scored nine overall. Alexus Hornaday, Paisley Kelly, and Harley Hart combined for 12 points in the third and fourth periods.
Lady Tigers lead by seven at the break
The Lady Tigers came out swinging — managing to outscore the Raiderettes by one in the first period. Tucker and Greenway swished perimeter shots in the first to turn up the heat and Ally Sharpe, Abbie Bateman, and Emma Dye all contributed.
The Lady Tigers turned up the defensive pressure in the second — putting the Raiderettes back on their collective Columbia blue heels. Fayetteville put up 11 while holding Moore County to just five — a trey by Dye and a basket by Ellie Carter — to head into the locker room leading by seven.
Raiderettes hold Lady Tiger to four third period points
We’re not sure what Raiderettes Head Coach Chad Spencer said in the locker room, but it lit a fire in his team. They put up 24 big points while holding the Lady Tiger to a mere four points in the third period. Dye flexed with three treys, a basket, and one from the line to lead the third quarter with 12 points. Sharpe and Tucker also added treys and Bateman and Hart added two each.
With the momentum on their side, Moore County headed into the fourth leading 45-32.
The Lady Tigers recovered slightly in the final stanza — scoring 13 but the Raiderettes had found their groove. They swished 22 points. Hornaday came off the bench with an exclamation point — draining two perimeter shots to lead the fourth. Greenway managed three from the floor and Sharpe, Tucker, Dye, Kelly, and Hart all scored a basket each. All 11 Raiderettes got playing time.
Emma Dye led Moore County with 19 followed by Bella Tucker with 14. Emmeree Greenway scored nine and Ally Sharpe added seven more. Alexus Hornaday scored six followed by Harley Hart with four. Paisley Kelly and Ellie Carter added a basket each.
The Raiderettes scored 34 from the floor and an impressive 30 from the perimeter. They were a perfect three of three from the line with Tucker acing two of those and Dye swishing one more. For comparison, the Lady Tigers scored 22 from the floor, 21 from the perimeter and two from behind the line. They were two of six from the charity stripe — or 33 percent.
Moore County will play a non-district game against Franklin County tonight in Lynchburg before travelling to Lincoln County on Saturday. They will return to District 9A play with a rematch at Richland next Tuesday. It will be a key battle for the Raiderettes. The Lady Raiders from Giles County edged them by just five on January 16 and the gals in Columbia blue will be looking to exact a little revenge. •
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