| Riverdale tops Blackman; MTCS falls; all advance |
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By: JEFF JORDAN, Special to The Post
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Posted: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 11:07 pm
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There’s no denying it, the Riverdale girls have peaked at tournament time, which is exactly what Coach Hillary Hodges wanted.
Can they sustain this for another week? I have no idea, but for now Riverdale (26–2) is on a 23-game winning streak that stretches back to December 8th, 86 days ago. Gee, we were still eating Thanksgiving leftovers and doing Christmas shopping when RHS lost their last game.
On Wednesday night, RHS put it all together and beat a well coached talented Blackman squad 63–36. Blackman was never in this one which surprised everyone, since the last time they played, it was a 2-point Riverdale win. This time Riverdale left no doubt who was the best team in Region 4AAA at least for this week.
With the loss, Blackman (22–7) will travel on Saturday to Walker Valley (30–2), who defeated Cleveland 46–43 on Tuesday night at Bradley County. It’s a repeat of last year's Substate game which Blackman won 69–59, as Walker Valley refused to play defense and Blackman refused to lose. The game has a tip off of 7 Eastern time.
Walker Valley is a new school, and they certainly were not ready to play last year despite their fine record. Blackman coach Chad Hibdon easily won the coaching battle in '09 and also the game.
Frankly, Walker Valley was better last year and they are likely better this year as well. However last year they stayed home and it was the Lady Blaze in the State.
Riverdale gets to host Cleveland (25–9) on Saturday night at 7. From now on every game is an unknown.
In the win over Blackman, Riverdale started early and played well. The Lady Warriors won the rebound battle 27–21 and Blackman committed over 20 turnovers, nine in the third quarter. The Riverdale defense forced some of the uncharacteristic Blackman turnover total but Blackman was often their own worst enemy.
Riverdale took an early lead, led 35–17 at the half, limited their turnovers to 9 and won going away. Both squads emptied their benches in the fourth quarter.
From where I sat, it appears that RHS is hitting on all cylinders and have been for some time. They are confident, prepared, poised and aggressive. If they continue this, they will beat Cleveland and be in the state. If they don’t prepare properly between now and Saturday night then … well, I don’t want to think about it.
For Blackman, Shelby Campbell had 10, seven in the first quarter, followed by Kortnay Cox with 9.
Riverdale was led by Shacobia Barbee with 19, while Tyisha Petty had 13 and Ashley Henry had 10.
The All Tournament Team was full of Rutherford County players, including La Vergne’s LaQuinta Jefferson, Blackman’s Shelby Campbell, Kelsey Nowlin and Kortnay Cox along with
Tyisha Petty, Olivia Jones, Shacobia Barbee and Jaclissa Haislip - all of Riverdale.
NOTES: The Region does not have an MVP named. If they did the most valuable person would have been Riverdale Coach Hillary Hodges. If MVP means most valuable player, then it’s a repeat of the district regular season and tournament, Shacobia Barbee.
Only two things went wrong Wednesday night, unless you’re a rabid Blackman fan.
1)The opening tip went to Riverdale who promptly committed an over and back violation. Anyone watching the tip saw it. The official missed it but, remember, there’s only three of them.
To be fair, except for the three of the silliest technicals ever called in a district tournament, the officiating has been very good during tournament time.
2) Ashley Henry not being named to the All Tournament team was an injustice. This often happens, usually because the committee just makes a mistake or there are eleven or more deserving players and someone gets left out or it could be politics. You be the judge, Ashley, you made my All Tournament team.
Middle Tennessee Christian School lost a close game to Moore County, 60-56, but will advance to Substate Saturday.
Thursday night in Shelbyville, it’s the Siegel boys versus Columbia – tip off is at 7, see you there and on line for the Murfreesboro Post.
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