Post Photo by Dennis Holley Tigerette coach David Steely poses with Mashawna Ridley (left) and Jachelle Ridley following the District 8-AAA awards on Monday night. Jachelle Ridley earned All-Tournament recognition, while Mashawna Ridley took home All-Tournament and All-District honors.
By DENNIS HOLLEY
Sports Writer
LEWISBURG — On Monday, The Marshall County Tigerettes (16-10) faced the Lawrence County Lady Wildcats (16-12) in the consolation game of the District 8-AAA tournament at Dottie Kelso Memorial Gymnasium.
The Tigerettes, hoped to rebound from two regular season losses to the Lady Wildcats and grab third place in the tournament, but a scoring drought in the second quarter, where the Tigerettes only scored a single basket, doomed the chances of a comeback as the Lady Wildcats prevailed in a 48-32 victory.
The Tigerettes were led in scoring by Jachelle Ridley with nine points and Mashawna Ridley with seven points.
The game began with Lawrence County controlling the tip, but their first three shots clanged off the iron and Jachelle Ridley grabbed the fourth shot rebound and the Tigerettes went on the offense, where Ridley got open down low and Marshawna Ridley found her as she banked the shot home for the 2-0 Marshall County lead.
Lawrence County responded with Jacie Scott scoring the first two of her 11 points to tie the game at 2-2.
Scott scored on a short jumper to put the Lady Wildcats up 4-2, then employed a 2-3 zone defense forcing the Tigerettes to shoot from out front.
Marshall County’s Maggie Steely stepped up and rained a 3-pointer to put the Tigerettes up 5-4.
Scott answered and back and forth the two teams fought, with Adrianna White draining two 3-pointers for the Tigerettes and Emmaleigh Jaco for Lawrence County scoring down low.
She then sank one of two free-throws as the quarter drew to a close and the Lady Wildcats led 13-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Then the misery began for the Tigerettes.
Time after time, the ball would not fall through the cylinder, rolling down into the hoop then rolling right back out, not falling through as Lawrence County was able to continue scoring, with Sophie Cole and Cami Pigg doing the damage scoring four and five points respectively.
What began for the Tigerettes trailing by only one point at the start of the second quarter ended with Marshall County trailing by 11 points when the halftime horn sounded, 25-14.
Trailing by double figures as the third quarter began wasn’t an insurmountable task but it did place pressure on the team Tigerettes.
Marshawna Ridley showed that pressure is not a factor and she demonstrated that as on two consecutive possessions she made driving baskets, but the Lady Wildcats responded each time and at the end of the third quarter the Tigerettes deficit was 16 points, 41-25.
The final quarter saw Marshall County cut the lead to 11 points again as Steely sank another 3-pointer and Marshawna Ridley sliced through the lane for a basket, but Scott kept the Tigerettes at bay and came away with a 48-32 victory and third place in the District 8-AAA tournament.
The Tigerettes will hit the road for a Friday night matchup with District 7-3A winner White County in a region quarterfinal.
Marshall Co. 12 2 11 7 – 32
Lawrence Co. 13 12 16 7 – 48
Marshall Co.: Jachelle Ridley 9, Mashawna Ridley 7, Adrianna White 6, Maggie Steely 6, Keriona Thomison 2, Demiyah Blackmon 2,
Lawrence Co.: Jacie Scott 11, Sophie Cole 8, Cami Pigg 7, Ryann Hughes 6, Sadie Grace Cole 5, Emmaleigh Jaco 5, Lannie Kate King 3, Kabry Tinin 3.
3-Point Goals: Lawrence Co. (2): Tinin, Pigg; Marshall Co. (5): Steely 2, White 2, M. Ridley.
Halftime Score: Lawerence Co. 25, Marshall Co. 14.
