Unbeaten Soddy Daisy Rolls Past Rhea County

Trojans Now 4-0 Following 70-31 Win Over Golden Eagles

  • Tuesday, November 25, 2014
  • John Hunt

The Soddy Daisy Trojans remained unbeaten after four games in basketball, including Tuesday night's 70-31 romp over the visiting Rhea County Golden Eagles, but please keep in mind that Rhea County is still playing football and at least seven regulars on the basketball court are still trying to win a state title on the gridiron.

Preston Pugh scored on a layup with 6:39 to play in the first quarter and was fouled on the play.  His free throw gave the Golden Eagles a 3-0 lead.

Soddy Daisy's Andy Wright came back to sink three straight field goals -- including a pair of 3s -- to give the Trojans an 8-3 lead and it never got any closer.

Logan Hunter canned a jumper from the key right before the first quarter ended to get Rhea within 19-11 at the first break, but by the time Pugh sank two free throws at the 2:06 mark, the game was all but over as Soddy Daisy had scored 21 unanswered points and were comfortably ahead by a 40-13 margin.

The difference was 45-15 at intermission.

It only got worst as the game progressed with the Trojans in total control at 60-20 when the final stanza began and the mercy rule took effect.

The biggest lead of the game came midway through the final quarter when Gavin Rogers sank the last of four 3s to stretch the lead to 68-25.

"That's what we aspire to be, but they were bigger and stronger than we were tonight," said Rhea County coach Mike Phillips after his team had lost for the second time in two days.

"We still have at least seven guys who are football players, so I was somewhat expecting this, but all I ask of my guys is that they not quit playing as I don't plan to quit coaching.  It is what it is, but we'll be a different team when the missing players join us," he added.

Soddy Daisy coach Reid Daniels knew what was up before the opening tip.

"We know they were missing a bunch of players, but we just hope they bring back a state football title to East Tennessee," he began shortly after the game ended.

"We were patient with our shots, but our defense wasn't that great.  I want them to take pride in what they're doing and to play hard the entire time, no matter if we're ahead by 30 of behind by the same amount.  But I liked our effort and we got a chance to give a bunch of kids some playing time.  Now we'll take off a few days to eat some turkey," he nodded, saying the next game for his team would be at home on December 2 against Red Bank.

 Rogers scored 15 points off the bench to lead Soddy Daisy's offense while Wright followed with 14, all in the first half.  Jacob Floyd was also in double figures for the Trojans with 13.

Hunter and Pugh both scored a dozen to pace the Rhea County attack.

Soddy Daisy also won the rebound battle by a 26-21 margin.  Marshae Jeffries had nine caroms to lead the Trojans while Keith Hall had six and Gavin Stewart five for Rhea County.

RHEA CO. GIRLS 64, SODDY DAISY 34: The Lady Golden Eagles were never seriously challenged as they enjoyed a substantial scoring edge in every quarter.

Freshman Micah Black was the leader as she finished with 17 points.  Teammates Amber Levi and Megan Revis followed with 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Shana Ward was tops for Soddy Daisy with nine points while Morgan Hopkins and Summer Ghaffari both finished with six.

GIRLS SUMMARY

RHEA COUNTY  22  13  18  11  --  64

SODDY DAISY    8  8  11  7  --  34

RHEA COUNTY (64) -- Davis 4, Revis 12, Blevins 2, Black 17, Baker, Thurman 5, Keylon, Clark, Keen 8, Levi 16, Morgan, Brown.

SODDY DAISY (34) -- Landreth, Hale 2, Hopkins 6, Sims, Trimier 4, Bryant, Davis, King 4, Ward 9, Phillips 3, Dent, Woodward, Ghaffari 6.

3-POINT GOALS: Rhea County 4 (Revis 2, Black, Levi), Soddy Daisy 4 (Ward 3, Phillips)

BOYS SUMMARY

RHEA COUNTY   11  4  5  11  --  31

SODDY DAISY    19  26  15  10  --  70

RHEA COUNTY (31) -- Revis, Hall, Pugh 12, Bowers, Robinson 3, Hunter 12, Dulaney, Stewart 4.

SODDY DAISY (70) -- Carter 8, Rogers 15, Flippo, Sutherland, Wright 14, Whymer 6, Kearney 2, Floyd 13, Jeffries 6, Treadway 2, Eller 2, Durain 2.

3-POINT GOALS: Rhea Co. 2 (Pugh, Robinson), Soddy Daisy 9 (Rogers 4, Wright 2, Whymer 2, Floyd).

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@Comcast.net)

Sports
Chattanooga Women Third At Spring Break Shootout
  • 3/18/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs got off to a solid start at the Spring Break Shootout. The ladies are 4 under on Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club’s South Course carding 280 over the opening 18 and 284 ... more

Sweetwater's Keke Norfolk Signs With Cleveland State
Sweetwater's Keke Norfolk Signs With Cleveland State
  • 3/18/2024

Keke Norfolk of Sweetwater High School signed a National Letter of Intent with the Cleveland State women’s basketball team this past week. Norfolk a 5’9” guard/forward, becomes the first signee ... more

Vol Baseball Win Streak Ends At 17 At Alabama
  • 3/18/2024

No. 5/5 Tennessee's 17-game winning streak came to an end with a 6-3 loss to No. 12/14 Alabama on Saturday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide (16-3, 1-1 SEC) ... more