by Wesley Talley
The Murphy Center at MTSU was packed Friday morning in anticipation for the TSSAA ladies state semi-finales. The majority of the crowd consisted of Riverdale high schoolâs student body. The principal at Riverdale cancelled classes Friday so students could go and support their Lady Warriors, and support they did. The lady Warriors were considered an underdog against their opponents from Memphis Central high school who entered the game with a record of 35-3. This game wasnât the first time in the tournament Riverdale has played this roll. They were considered heavy underdogs before they beat rival Blackman High and UCONN recruit Crystal Dangerfield.
Once the game was underway Riverdale jumped out to an early lead thanks to hot three point shooting, going five of six as a team from behind the ark. Despite the barrage of threeâs, Memphis Central began to take control of the game with heavy back-court pressure. Creating several turnovers and easy baskets time and time again. For three straight possessions Riverdale did not even cross half court before the ball was ripped away. Going into the half, even after being outscored in the second quarter, Riverdale held a double digit advantage, 33 to 23. Reminiscent of Riverdaleâs last game against Morristown West, the girls tended to put it on cruise control in the middle of the game. All be it when the fourth quarter came around the Lady Warriorâs pedal was to the floor. Team captains, Anastaisa Hayes and Alexis Whittington willed their teammates to play at the level needed for this type of game and competition of this caliber. As time ran out the underdogs found themselves on top again, their reward, a shot at TSSAAâs gold ball.
This makes seven years in a row a team from Murfreesboro will play for the womenâs AAA championship. After the game head coach Randy Coffman commented on his teamâs next opponent, Oak Ridge high school, saying,
âTheyâre going to be a great challenge for us, but the great thing is we get to play them.â
The Lady Warriors Championship game will be held at the Murphy Center, tip is 1 oâclock p.m.
