CHARLESTON, Tenn. — Not allowing 20-win Rhea County a second-half bucket, 12th-ranked Cleveland made it back-to-back District 5-4A champions with "running clock" blowout Monday evening.
"This was the most complete game we've played — offensively and defensively — this season," proclaimed Lady Raider head coach Bianca Hensley after the 78-25 "running clock" thrashing, at "the Stable" at Walker Valley High School.
"I'm so proud of our effort tonight. We got so much production offensively from so many different players they (Rhea) couldn't concentrate one anyone in particular to try to stop," she said after five Lady Raiders netted double figures, plus copped 13 steals, while forcing 21 Lady Eagle turnovers.
The victory secures Raider Arena as the home site for the Region 3-4A Tournament, beginning Friday.
"We have been emphasizing winning this tournament and how huge it will be to get to host the region next week," expressed Coach Hensley. "We have a chance to compete at home and it's a really good feeling.
"Our losses this year have come to high quality teams, mostly Top 10 teams that we competed with, but fell short, but still a great learning tool and getting us ready for the postseason."
Posting a 22-7 mark so far, the Lady Raider losses have come to Bradley Central (28-1), Bearden (29-4) and Oak Ridge (26-3), all of which are in the Top 4 of the TSWA final pool this week, plus one to sixth-ranked (DII-AA) Chattanooga Christian (18-7) and another to 2024 defending state runner-up Bartlett (18-11) in a rematch of last March's Final Four battle in Murfreesboro.
"Our younger girls got a lot of big experience and now hopefully with (6-foot-3 Tennessee signee) Lauren (Hurst) back, she and (senior) Emma (Smith, who ripped the cords for 27 points in the district semifinals) can help them get us back to the state tournament."
Cleveland will open region play against District 6 fourth seed Howard (1-15) Friday before hosting the region semifinals and championship games Monday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 5.
Playing at the home of the higher seeds to open the region Friday will see Walker Valley (6-23) making the short trip down I-75p to District 6 runner-up Ooltewah (15-16), while two-time defending state champion Bradley Central welcomes McMinn County (5-23) to Jim Smiddy Arena and Rhea County (20-11) entertains East Hamilton (19-10).
LADY RAIDERS 78, LADY EAGLES 25: Cleveland set the tone from the opening tip with seven quick points — a coast-to-coast rebound into a fastbreak basket by Hurst, a 3-pointer from District Player of the Year Laney Copeland, plus a steal and assist by Hurst to All-District freshman Ariyah Huffman, who was out on the break — forcing Rhea head coach Tracey Vest to call a time out just 75 seconds into the contest.
Even though the Lady Eagles were able to start dropping in some baskets, the Lady Raiders continued the onslaught, hitting 4-of-6 long-range shots on their way to a 24-10 advantage at the first buzzer.
Cleveland pushed the lead to 18 points early in the second frame when junior Illianis Rodriguez banked in a 3-ball from the top of the key and then put back in an offensive rebound on the next trip down the floor.
After a short 6-0 Rhea rally, Rodriguez and Huffman dialed long distance on back-to-back possessions as the Lady Raiders ripped off 10 unanswered points on their way to a 45-23 halftime advantage.
Coming out of the intermission, the Cleveland defense completely shut down the girls from Evensville, making them go 0-for-9 from the field, plus turn the ball over eight times, while the Lady Raiders exploded for 29 points in the third period.
With the reserves in for the "running clock" final frame, Rhea managed just a pair of free throws, while missing four more shots from the field.
Hurst, who has only been able to play in eight games this season due to a groin injury suffered while being named the Gatorade Miss Tennessee Volleyball for the third time, poured in a season-high 31 points.
Ripping the cords for 15 first-quarter markers, with the other 16 coming in the third frame, she drilled five 3-pointers and went 6-of-7 at the charity stripe. The District Tournament MVP also cleared 10 rebounds for a double-double to go with four assists, two blocked shots and a steal.
"Lauren (Hurst) went inside and out tonight. She felt very comfortable shooting the '3' and controlling the ball," assessed Coach Hensley. "She had a great game tonight, despite having to come out early in the second period with three fouls. We're really glad to have her back and ready for our postseason play."
Copeland helped out with 14 points, including a couple from "downtown," while Rodriguez, Huffman and freshman Jada Davis netted 10 markers apiece. Rodriguez and Davis both drained a couple of tripes, while Huffman had the other of the dozen long-range Lady Raider bombs.
"Illianis Rodriguez was huge for us tonight," praised Coach Hensley as her point guard also dealt out seven helps and copped seven thefts, plus pulled down four caroms.
"She plays so hard all the time. She took two or three charges, had several steals and assists, plus scored in double figures.
"She's our engine and makes us go," the Lady Raider mentor assessed. "There's a reason she made the All-State Tournament Team last year and the All-District Team this year."
Cleveland's offense hit 15-of-25 (60%) from in front of the arc, plus made 50% (11-for22) beyond it to go with 12-of-16 (75%) at the free throw line.
The Lady Raider defense held Rhea to just 37 shots over, sinking only 8-for-31 (25.8%) from the two-point area, plus only 1-of-6 (16.7%) from distance and just 50% (6-for-12) at the stripe.
District MVP runner-up Jenna Burchard, a 6-foot junior, was held to just four points and three rebounds, plus 6-foot-5 freshman Jaslyn Butler, an All-District Tournament Team selection, only had two points and one carom.
Junior Kloe Reeves led the Lady Eagles with six points and seven rebounds.
Cleveland dominated the backboards by a 29-16 margin and committed just eight turnovers, while forcing 21.
GAME SUMMARY
District 5-4
Girls Tournament
Monday, Feb. 24
at "The Stable"
Championship Game
Rhea County 10 13 0 2 — 25
Cleveland 24 21 29 4 — 78
LADY EAGLES (25) — Kloe Reeves 6, Lakyn Lockhart 5, Jenna Burchard 4, Cammie Rhueling 4, Jetta Sharp 2, Jaslyn Butler 2, Kelly 1, Lovelady 1, Shaver, Brown, Peavyhouse, Bishop.
LADY RAIDERS (78) — Lauren Hurst 31, Laney Copeland 14, Jada Davis 10, Ariyah Huffman 10, Illianis Rodriguez 10, Emma Smith 2, Addy Gravelle 1, A. Bradford, J. Bradford, K. Bradford.
3-POINT GOALS: RC 1 (Lockhart); CHS 12 (Hurst 5, Copeland 2, Rodriguez 2, Davis 2, Huffman).
FREE THROWS: RC 6-of-12 (50%); CHS 12-of-16 (75%).
RECORDS: Rhea County 20-11; No. 12 Cleveland 22-7.
All-District 5-4A
Tournament Team
Cleveland — Lauren Hurst (MVP), Emma Smith, Illianis Rodriguez; Rhea County — Lakyn Lockhart, Jaslyn Butler; McMinn County — Molly Trentham, Aven Hennessee; Walker Valley — Sariyah Cox, Lyla Sims.
All-District 5-4A
Regular Season Team
Cleveland — Laney Copeland (MVP), Illianis Rodriguez, Emma Smith, Ariyah Huffman; Rhea County — Jenna Burchard, Cammie Rhueling, Lakyn Lockhart; McMinn County — Molly Trentham, Mia Sewell; Walker Valley — Maliyah Woods, Kia Young.