CLASS 3A

Riverview hunkers down in OT

CHARLESTON - The Riverview Lady Raiders got the big defensive stop when it mattered most Saturday.

After Valley Springs executed with big shots late in regulation to force overtime, Riverview defended to perfection in the game’s final series, denying a game-tying three-point attempt and advancing to the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament with a 59-58 victory at the Tiger Center.

“We just had to hunker down and play solid defense,” Riverview Coach Ryan Smith said.

Riverview led 59-56 with 21 seconds left when Valley Springs called timeout to draw up the final three-point attempt. The Lady Tigers inbounded and quickly found senior Ali King, whose three point attempt was deflected by Riverview senior Meg Meachum.

Valley Springs regained possession and King hit a layup with :03 left to pull the Lady Tigers within a point as the final horn sounded.

“We did a good job of switching a screen and talking and getting our hands straight up,” Smith said. “[Valley Springs] is a good team and we got lucky. We found a way to win, and we’ve been able to do that all year.”

Trailing by a point with just more than two minutes left in overtime, the Lady Raiders (25-4) scored six consecutive points and led 58-53 when sophomore Erykah Jones came up with a steal and scored a layup with 1:13 remaining.

Sophomore Madison Riley scored 13 points and Meachum added 11 for the Lady Raiders (25-4), who will play Harding Academy or Melbourne in Tuesday’s semifinals.

Sophomore Payton Tennison led Valley Springs with 16 and Harner scored 15.

ESTEM 55, MCGEHEE 38

CHARLESTON - eStem overcame a one-point halftime deficit by outscoring McGehee 18-10 in the third period and then took control with a 21-point fourth period in the opening-round victory.

Senior Olivia McWilliams scored 26 points to lead the Lady Mets (27-6), who advance to play Rivercrest in Monday’s quarterfinals. Senior Becca Mosler added 10 for eStem.

Sophomore Shakyla Begnaud led the Lady Owls (15-10) with 23 points.

JESSIEVILLE 63, GENOA CENTRAL 47

Jessieville (21-8) outscored Genoa Central 40-14 in the first half and then held on for the first-round victory.

Senior Justice Reliford scored 21 of her game-high 29 points in the first half to lead the Lady Lions, who advance to play Paris in Monday’s quarterfinals. Freshman Kellie Lampo added 14 for Jessieville, 13 coming in the opening two periods.

Senior Bailey Everett led the Lady Dragons (26-7) with 16 points, including four three-pointers.

Sports, Pages 25 on 03/09/2014

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