After trailing most of the first quarter, Riverdale hammered out a foul and turnover plagued 36-28 first half lead. The third quarter, which Riverdale won 21-8, was the turning point. There was no looking back.

The victory – in front of a huge pro Riverdale crowd including a few early arriving Blackman fans and a few late leaving Cannon County fans – wasn’t pretty with 41 fouls, 44 free throws and 34 turnovers.

The Riverdale defense held the West Rebels to 36 percent shooting and a miserable one of 11 in 3s. Riverdale shot a solid 45 percent from the floor and eight of 22 (36%) from 3-point range.

The only downer was Riverdale’s awful performance from the line where they were 15 of 32 (47 percent) but you have to feel good about the red and gold defense that held West to only 16 second half points.

Scoring

Knox West: Alexus Patterson, 1; Dashira Buley, 9; Grace de Armino, 8; Mikiera Smith, 7; Vanessa Moore, 4; D’Rondra Hundley, 2; Brooke Thompson, 2.

Riverdale: Shacobia Barbee, 15; Alexa Middleton, 12; Olivia Jones, 12; Jessica Azor, 10; Ashley Henry, 7; Tyisha Petty, 6; Toyree Watkins, 1.

Rebound leaders: Barbee13, Jones 5

Assist leaders: Petty and Barbee 4 each

Steals: Petty 3.

Every Riverdale player did fairly well but the performance of Jessica Azor should not be ignored. The valuable sub played 14 minutes and did not miss a shot, scoring 10 points with three rebounds and a steal.

•••

In the evening’s fourth game, powerful Memphis Central beat Blackman 57-38.  

When the TSSAA holds their drawing to fill up the brackets, you have seven chances (actually six in this case since RHS and BHS are in the same region) to draw your opponent. The one team they both wanted to avoid as long as possible was Memphis Central. Riverdale escaped, Blackman didn’t.

Make no mistake, the Blaze Coach Chad Hibdon backed down from no one. After all, the Blaze are District Tournament champions and beat Riverdale in the process.

A large Blackman cheering section showed up and they were joined by numerous others including Principal Gail Vick.

Blackman opened up strong and sharp but just couldn’t match the quickness of Central as the green clad Warriors won the first quarter 15-9 and led at the half 22-16. There was no denying Central, as they jumped out to a 19-point lead in the second half and played cautiously the rest of the game to preserve the win.  

The Blaze closed out another fine season at 24-7. The seniors who have ended their high school careers are Kaitlyn Keen, Monica Brown, Katie Smith, Kelsey Nowlin, Tiera Norris, Amy Duke and Nichole Knight.

I shall miss them all, but especially Katie Smith who plays with considerable courage, effort and heart.

Scoring

Memphis Central: Nina Davis, 17; Tia Wooten, 13; Aaliyah Whiteside, 10; Danielle Ballard, 9; Jalen O’Bannon, 7; Marisa Knox, 1.

Blackman: Kortnay Cox, 15; Kelsey Nowlin, 6; Amy Duke, 6; Chelsey Hall, 5; Katie Smith, 2; Micah Norris, 2; Amanda Pollock, 2.  

Rebound leaders: Cox, 9; Duke, 7.

Assist leaders: Nowlin, 3;  M. Norris, 2.

Steals: Smith, 2; M. Norris, 2.

Next up for Riverdale: The Memphis Overton Wolverines (31-6) who beat Wilson Central 46-39. Tip off is 4 p.m. Friday at Murphy Center. The Memphis Central-Science Hill game will follow at 5:30.