By Tabitha Evans Moore
Editor & Publisher

SANTA FE, Tenn. — Friday night’s first round Region 5A Tournament game felt like a bit of tough sledding for the Moore County Raiderettes through the first five minutes. The Santa Lady Wildcats drew first blood and mounted a five point lead before Abbie Bateman made a steal that lead to Moore County’s first points of the night — a right side layup from Ally Sharpe to get the Raiderettes on the board.

The two Class A teams traded steals and turnovers for several possessions then Bateman slung up a three ball that took its sweet time bouncing in to tie the game, 5-5, with 1:30 to play in the first.

On their next possession, Santa Fe missed a three — one of many in the first half — as the gritty Raiderettes played pressure D, refusing to let the Lady Wildcats inside. Bella Tucker then met a long pass at the Santa Fe guard and tied up the ball, which went Moore County’s way. On the Raiderette’s end, Tucker snagged the rebound and put it back up for two more with just 22 seconds left. Moore County ended the first leading by two, 7-5.

The second period did not go Santa Fe’s way. Moore County put up double-digit points while holding the Lady Wildcats scoreless. An impressively tenacious Emmeree Greenway came off the bench for nine of Moore County’s 13 second period points. Sharpe added the other four.

Moore County went into the locker room leading by 15, 20-5.

All 13 players got playing time

The Lady Wildcats found their footing in the third quarter. They put up 15 points — mostly three balls from Kendall Massey. But it was too late. The Raiderettes had found their groove offensively and continued to apply pressure of defense — forcing Santa Fe to settle for perimeter shots or long range jumpers. On offense, Sharpe found her three and sank three of them to lead with 11 points in the third. With one to go, Moore County led 40-20.

Paisley Kelly couldn’t miss down the stretch — scoring six of the Raiderettes final 10 points. Tucker added two more and Alexus Hornaday came off the bench and went in for a buzzer-beater layup to end the game.

Coach Spencer pulled his starters in the fourth — allowing Hornaday, Maddie Goodwin, Addison Brandon, Brooke Ledbetter, Brenley Tucker, and Harley Hart to gain valueable playing time. All 13 players entered the game against Santa Fe.

Ally Sharpe led with 17 points. Emmeree Greenway came off the bench and scored nine. Bella Tucker and Abbie Bateman added eight each. Both played an excellent defensive game — snagging rebound after rebound. Paisley Kelly swished six and Alexus Hornaday made two “don’t stop until the buzzer” points. •

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