By Tabitha Evans Moore | Editor & Publisher

LYNNVILLE, Tenn.  — The Richland Lady Raiders sit on top of the District 9 standing with a perfect record and seem determined to hold that spot. The Moore County Raiderettes, who sit in third behind Richland and Cornersville, traveled to Lynnville on Tuesday looking to put a chink in the crown. Even though two players — Ally Sharpe and Emma Dye — put up double-digit points, Moore County couldn’t budge them.

On Tuesday, the Raiderettes dropped a district game, 57-43 — giving Richland the regular season series. Moore County also lost to Richland at home on January 16 with a final score of 52-47.

Richland jumped out early against the Raiderettes on Tuesday — outscoring them by 12 in the first period — led by Mary Avery McNeese who swished two early treys. Sharpe added a trey of her own in the first and Bella Tucker and Abbie Bateman added a basket each. The Raiderettes trailed at the end of the first 19-7.

Moore County came to life in the second — scoring within two of the Lady Raiders thanks to a trey and a basket by Dye, a perimeter swish by Ellie Carter, and off-the-bench points for the dependable Emmeree Greenway.

Moore County trailed at the break 32-17. Dye led in the first half with five points.

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Raiderettes attempt second half comeback

The Raiderette mounted a comeback in the third — putting up 13 while holding the Lady Raiders to 11. Sharpe added another trey, a basket, and one from the line while Carter also swished another trey. Bella Tucker added one from the floor and two at the line. The Raiderettes gained ground but continued to trail 43-30 heading into the fourth.

The Raiderettes matched Richland point-for-point in the fourth. Sharpe, Dye, and Harley Hart added a trey each while Sharpe and Dye also added baskets. Interestingly, Moore County did not score a single point from the line in the final stanza. In fact, they only earned two shooting souls in the entire game.

At the final buzzer, the Raiderettes lost 56-43 — dropping their District 9A record to 3-3. They currently sit in third place.

Ally Sharpe led with 14 points followed by Emma Dye with 10. Bella Tucker and Ellie Carter put up six each. Harley Hart came off the bench and added a trey. Abbie Bateman and Emmeree Greenway contributed a basket each.

They’ll get a shot at improving their district standings on Friday when they take on currently-in-second-place Cornersville on Friday at home. Raider Nation could serve as the sixth man by getting loud on Friday. Tip off happens at 6 p.m. •

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