Signal Mountain's Aryn Sanders fends off Smith County's Abbi Gregory Friday night in a region basketball game.
photo by Greg Davick
The Lady Eagles of Signal Mountain made school history Friday night by winning their first ever region basketball game. Signal Mountain jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and held off visiting Smith County in the fourth quarter for a 56-38 region quarterfinal win.
A 10-0 start is not what Signal Mountain second year head coach Kendra Bell expected in a region basketball opener.
"That is something your not expecting," Bell said. "Our kids came out fired up. Ten is not alot of points for us but they (Smith County) are a good team. This is what this time of year is about."
Signal Mountain was led by Aryn Sanders who finished with a game high 30 points. Sanders had 12 in the first half. She opened the second half with a three that gave Signal a 23-12 lead. She would score 13 in the fourth quarter including 9 of 12 from the free throw line.
Brooke Whitmire had 13 points and Maia Rackel had 10. Eight of Rackel's ten points came in the second half.
Smith County scored 15 of their 38 points from long range. Alyssa West led Smith County with 10 points.
District 7-AA teams were swept by District 8-AA teams last year in the first round of regions. Both top seeded Signal Mountain and second seed Sequatchie County, both in District 7-AA won their region openers this year.
"That district is very strong," Bell said. "This is great for our program and this is was one of our goals. We wanted to win the district and win this game. I am so proud of our kids."
Signal Mountain and Sequatchie both advance to the second round of the region tournament which will be played on Monday at Tennessee Tech. Signal Mountain will face off with Livingston Academy and Sequatchie will play Upperman.
Scoring Summary:
Smith County 0 12 9 17 - 38
Signal Mountain 10 10 16 20 - 56
Signal Mountain (56) Sanders 30, Whitmire 13, Rackel 10, Boals 2, Witherspoon 1
Smith County (38) West 10, Spivey 7, Hix 7, Crawford 6, Gregory 4, Beasley 3, Shoulders 1
3 pointers: Smith Co 5 (Spivey 2, Hix 1, Beasley 1, Gregory 1) Signal Mountain 1 (Sanders)
Region 4AA Scores:
Upperman 73 Notre Dame 22
Livingston Academy 62 Bledsoe Co. 30
Signal Mountain's Maia Rackel and Smith County's Shelby Hix fight for the ball.
photo by Greg Davick