Stewarts Creek Lady Red Hawks (22-6, 8-2)
Riverdale Lady Warriors (30-0, 12-0)
Region 4-AAA Women’s Championship Game
For the fourth time this season and the second straight year meeting in the region championship, Riverdale took on rival Stewarts Creek. Last year the Lady Warriors defeated Stewarts Creek 51-48 en route to another State Title.
The first three matches between these two came right down to the wire, by far Riverdale’s most competitive games all season despite being the victor each time. This night, would not follow that script.
From the tip Riverdale’s energy and intensity surpassed that of Stewarts Creek, as if they were the under dog coming into the game. Riverdale would immediately hop out to a double digit lead. One that would only continue to grow throughout the duration of the match. Stewarts Creek, just didn’t have the same level of vigor from a week ago in the region championship.
In the second quarter, Riverdale pulled the curtain closed on this show when junior, Brinae Alexander hit three three’s on consecutive trips. Alexander, was also a force in the paint on the defensive end, detouring several SCHS shots to go along with her 17 points on the night.
Senior and McDonald’s All-American, Anastasia Hayes, would follow up Alexander’s effort with a scoring flurry of her own. Hayes, got her offense going by playing stellar defense, ripping the ball away from SCHS guards and racing to the rim for uncontested lay ups. The game was just another day at the office for Hayes, dropping 31 and looking to be in a different league then anyone else on the court.
The Lady Warriors would go on to claim the Region 4 crown to the tune of 74-54. A much more convincing outcome this time compared to the 57-55 victory last week against the Lady Red Hawks.
Now all eyes turn to the Murphy Center at MTSU where the Women’s BlueCross State Championship Tournament will begin March 8th. Stewarts Creek will be in the mix, but Riverdale have repeating on their mind. The 2016 season culminated for the Lady Warriors when they defeated Oak Ridge to win their fourth state title since 2010.
If the Lady Warriors are able to pull off the back to back championships, and five in seven years, they will surely be in consideration as the greatest women’s high school basketball program in state history and be regarded as a dynasty in this decade.
