Friday, March 8, 2013

TSSAA Girls State Basketball Class AAA Semifinal preview

article from Commercial Appeal

TSSAA GIRLS STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Previewing Friday’s girls Class AAA semifinal games in the TSSAA Division 1 state basketball tournament at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro.

Matchup: Central (26-5) vs. Murfreesboro Riverdale (33-0)
When: 10 a.m. LIVE STATS

What to watch for: Although separated by over 200 miles, a nice rivalry has developed between the two schools in recent years. The coaching staffs are close and players from both teams have competed with one another on the summer circuit. Riverdale, the defending state champ and the top-ranked team in the nation, carries a 56-game winning streak into the contest after crushing Brentwood 83-37 in Wednesday’s quarterfinals. Riverdale connected on 12 of 30 3-point attempts in that one and scored 51 points off 32 Brentwood turnovers. Handling the pressure will be key for Central today, which means junior guard Meme Hill (19 points, six assists in the 62-43 quarterfinal win over Knoxville Bearden) will need to have a big game for the Lady Warriors. Central controlled the glass against Bearden, with Darriel Johnson and Tia Wooten each grabbing 12 boards and will need to win that battle again. And needless to say, the Lady Warriors will need a big game from their star, Nina Davis, who sparked a decisive third-quarter run against Bearden. Lady Warriors coach Niki Bray said if her team worries about “beating Riverdale” it will be in big trouble. But if the Lady Warriors relax and play their game, they have a chance to score the upset.

Matchup: Overton (32-6) vs. Johnson City Science Hill (34-3)
When: 11:30 a.m. LIVE STATS
What to watch for: Overton coach Lynn Smith and his players were unanimous after Wednesday’s 51-45 quarterfinal victory over Antioch; they can do a lot better. Overton shot the ball well against the Bears (50 percent) and did a good job forcing turnovers too. The main problem was on the glass were they were out-rebounded 42-31 by a smaller team. The Wolverines will have to do better against Science Hill, which grabbed 47 boards in its 64-38 quarterfinal victory over Bradley Central. Georgetown signee Kelsey Briggs had a nice game for Overton in the opener, scoring 20 points, and she’ll need to come through again. The play of guards Philecia Atkins and Amber Holmes will also be crucial. Science Hill counter with 5-10 guard Shy Copney, who scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the quarterfinals.

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