The Signal Mountain Lady Eagles traveled Saturday to Smith County to open up the season in the 8-AA Region HOF Match Up. The team opened the day against powerful York Institute. The team battled all game, leading at third quarter 38-36. Following a very busy fourth quarter that saw the Lady Eagles with three starters fouling out to the bench, York pulled out the victory 70-61. Aryn Sanders lead the Eagles with 24 points, followed by Brooke Whitmire with 12.
The Second match of the day saw the Eagles in action against Cannon County. The Eagles had last seen Cannon in 2014, when the Lionettes ended the SM team's first region run early. In the second game of the day for the Lady Eagles they started slower against the fresh Cannon. The Eagles trailed 32-23 at the half. Following the break, the ladies returned to the court with a 13 point race through the third, ending the quarter still behind Cannon 38-36. Things turned in the fourth and the Eagles decided to play basketball. Not facing the foul trouble they had seen in the previous game's fourth quarter, the Eagles battled back. Despite a fiesty Eagle stand, the Lionettes would not give up. Facing a 5 point lead by the Eagles in the final minutes of the game, the Lionettes took charge and with a pair of foul shots, took the lead, 57-55 with 4.5 seconds left in the game. Now this game situation is one that the Lady Eagles are all to familiar with, having experienced two last second game thrillers last season. Following the time out by Coach Kendra Bell, the Lady Eagles in bounded the ball to state track runner, Aryn Sanders, who took the ball the length of the court to meet up with three defenders under the basket. The lay up came at the buzzer, but dropped in to give the Lady Eagles life to continue in overtime play. With the OT clock ticking down the minutes, the Lady Eagles used the momentum to their advantage. The team took charge and finished the game out with a 67-62 victory.
Summary: SM vs.
York Institute
Signal Mtn: 16 30 48 61
York: 17 33 43 70
Signal Mtn: Aryn Sanders 24, Brooke Whitmire 12, Lydia Bledsoe 9, Mary Witherspoon 9, Maia Rackel 3, Janie Boals 2, Kendall Davis 2
3-point goals: Brooke Whitmire: 2, Lydia Bledose: 2
Summary: SM vs. Cannon County
Signal Mtn: 12 23 36 57 OT: 67
Cannon Co: 15 32 38 57 OT: 62
Signal Mtn: Aryn Sanders 39, Maia Rackel 10, Lydia Bledsoe 5, Kendall Davis 5, Janie Boals 4, Mary Witherspoon 3, Brooke Whitmire 1
3 point goals: Aryn Sanders 4, Lydia Bledsoe 1, Kendall Davis 1
Rebounds: Janie Boals 9, Maia Rackel 6
Steals: Aryn Sanders 6, Janie Boals 4
The Lady Eagles return to action on Monday when they travel to Northwest Whitfield to participate in the Thanksgiving Border Wars Tournament.