Murfreesboro Post
MURFREESBORO WEATHER

Riverdale takes two district games from La Vergne




Riverdale’s Alexis Whittington reaches up to attempt to block the shot of La Vergne’s Chantel Maxwell. ETHAN SCOTT

Riverdale’s Alexis Whittington reaches up to attempt to block the shot of La Vergne’s Chantel Maxwell. ETHAN SCOTT

In their first district games of the young season, Riverdale High’s basketball teams both won in dramatically different fashion at home on Tuesday.

The defending state champion Riverdale Lady Warriors (7-0 overall, 1-0 district) scored more points than the combined total of the boys teams in a 83-19 win over La Vergne.

The boys team then edged out the Wolverines 41-37 in a low-scoring but entertaining contest.

The Lady Wolverines were the first District 7 foe to test a Riverdale girls basketball team without Anastasia Hayes(now at UT), and the result was much the same as last season.

Led by two sets of sisters — Anastasia’s siblings Alasia Hayes and Aislynn Hayes and twin seniors Amanda Whittington and Alexis Whittington — the Lady Warriors effectively ended the game in the first half and emptied their entire bench down the stretch.

Riverdale led 32-4 after one quarter and 58-11 at halftime.

“The good thing is we all know our roles. We know each other so well that even though we’ve lost a major part, we still have plenty of other parts,” said Amanda Whittington. “I think that is the first thing we said coming in to this year–we won’t forget that accomplishment last year, but we’re really just focused on this year.”

In Riverdale’s title run last season, there were 91-24 and 81-25 routs of La Vergne. That continued on Tuesday as the young Lady Wolverines were buried by stifling defense that led to steals and fast-break points by the bunches.

This year’s Lady Warriors have rolled over opponents in the early season, with the exception of Hazel Green, Ala., who Riverdale edged out 51-49.

Lady Warriors coach Randy Coffman said the bigger tests are yet to come, but being able to play so many girls is important as district play begins.

“We’re worried about this year’s journey right now,” Coffman said. “We played a La Vergne team that is very inexperienced and we’re bringing back a senior-heavy team that was very successful the year before. So we’re at different spots in our journeys, but I was really pleased with how our bench kids played.”

Coffman was especially happy with the ball movement, as the Lady Warriors had 21 total assists.

“We’re trying to build some depth right now. You never know when the injury bug strikes. If you’ve got some kids who’ve got some playing time that always helps,” he said.

Boys

Riverdale 41, La Vergne 37

With no senior starters, the Riverdale Warriors improved to 5-1 with a hard-fought win over La Vergne.

Leading only 18-15 at the half, the Warriors were tied with La Vergne 35-35 at 3:04 in the fourth quarter when Riverdale guard Rashaad Thompson hit his third 3-pointer of the night. The Wolverines pulled to within one, 38-37, with 2:17 left.

But with no shot clock, Riverdale was able to work the clock down to 34 seconds before LHS was forced to foul. Deron Perry hit one of two free throws.

With six seconds left and the Warriors leading 39-37, the Wolverines were working for a potential game-tying or –winning shot when one of their players stepped out of bonds.

Thompson then hit two free throws to account for the final margin. Thompson scored 14 and Maliek McAllister had nine.

Robjay Bush led the Wolverines with 16 points.

“I feel like it was very important to get us off to a good start in the district,” Thompson said. “I’ve been in the gym more often to try to get my shot better. The coaches have been helping me try to fix my shot a little bit.”

Coach Michael Voss said winning those types of games will pay dividends later in the season for his young squad. He noted that junior Kai Crawford played just a few minutes, but boxed out on a missed free throw and kicked it out to Thompson for a key three-pointer down the stretch.

“This is the first time we haven’t gotten into the 50s. You sort of have to grind things out,” Voss said. “It was just a great test and I’m so proud of our guys for responding and finding a way to win.”

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