Tri-County advances to semis with win over Riverfield

Southern Sports & Travel

For second ranked Tri-County things were going their way as they raced out to an 18-5 first quarter lead but the Lady Rebels would find themselves in a dogfight in the second half  and would hold on to defeat a gritty Riverfield squad 50-41 to advance to today’s semi-final round of the Class A State Tournament.

Brook Martin and Patty Hancock combined for 30 points as Tri-County improved to 24-3 and will take on defending state champion Mt. Salus today at 2:30.

Tri-County saw Riverfield take a quick 2-0 lead on an Ashley Cooper offensive rebound and put back but that would be the only lead of the night for Riverfield.

Tri-County turned consecutive Lady Raider turnovers into baskets as Patty Hancock nailed a jumper from 16 feet and then Hancock drained a 3-pointer from the wing at the 5:42 mark to give the Lady Rebels their first lead at 5-2.

Hancock scored again less than thirty seconds later and Brook Martin would make Riverfield pay after another turnover by canning a 3-pointer to increase the Tri-County led to 10-2 at the halfway point of the opening quarter.

Each time Riverfield would score Tri-County responded as the Lady Rebels canned four 3-pointers in the quarter and went on to grab a 20-8 lead after one quarter of play.

Riverfield began grabbing momentum in the second quarter.

Riley Bridges nailed a 15 foot jumper and Ashley Cooper converted a Tri-County turnover into a basket in the paint to trim the deficit to 22-12 with less than two minutes gone in the quarter.

Tri-County managed to keep Riverfield at bay but couldn’t deliver a knockout punch.

Riverfield would draw to within five points at 25-20 on an Ashley Cooper driving basket with just 20 seconds left in the half but Tri-County received a huge boost as Brook Martin drained a 3-pointer with 4 seconds on the clock to close out the half with the Lady Rebels holding a 28-20 lead.

Tri-County managed to open up with a 7-2 run to take their biggest lead at 35-22 but five turnovers hindered their efforts to put Riverfield away.

Heading into the final quarter of play with a 37-28 edge Tri-County appeared to have things well in hand as they stretched their lead to twelve at 40-28 less than one minute into the fourth quarter but Riverfield started slowly chipping away and Tri-County turnovers would aid the Lady Raiders in their cause.

Riverfield would mount a 13-4 run to pull to within three points at 44-41 with 3:23 left in regulation but the Lady Raiders would miss the front end of two one and one opportunities down the stretch and would not score another point.

Bailey Randall nailed an 18 foot jumper with 1:13 remaining to push the lead out to 46-41 and Haley Alexander would convert a Riverfield turnover into a basket to ice the game at 48-41 with 28 seconds left in the contest.

Tri-County’s Brook Martin canned two free throws in the closing seconds to provide the final margin of 50-41.

Brook Martin led Tri-County with 17 points, Patty Hancock added 13, Bailey Randall 7, Lori Luke 5, Amanda Hodge 4 and Haley Alexander 2.

For Riverfield Ashley Cooper had a game high 21 points, Lauchlyn Emfinger had 9, Riley Bridges 6 and Joanna Franklin 5.

Post Game with Tri-County Head Coach Rod Delaney