Blackman can seal 7-AAA girls title with win over Riverdale

MURFREESBORO – Top-ranked Blackman High can lock up its second consecutive District 7-AAA regular-season title with a win tonight.

However, arch-rival Riverdale, which is ranked sixth in the state, stands in the Lady Blaze's way.

The two teams clash at 6 at The Inferno in the second of two regular-season meetings.

"We're all seeking that first spot for the regular season," Blackman girls coach Chad Hibdon. "You want to fight and win the regular-season title and be that No. 1 seed. Yes, we'll put the emphasis there.

"But this is a rivalry game on a Friday night. There will be a lot of fun too."

Blackman (20-2, 9-0 in 7-AAA) is in the midst of its best two-year span in the program's history. The Lady Blaze are the defending TSSAA Class AAA state champions and defending national champions. Blackman hasn't lost a regular-season district game since it fell 72-43 to Riverdale on Feb. 8, 2013.

Riverdale (19-5, 6-2) is coming off a 75-62 win over Stewarts Creek on Tuesday. Blackman defeated Riverdale 56-48 on Jan. 9 in its first meeting this season.

"Basketball is a tournament sport," Riverdale coach Cory Barrett said. "You are playing for the best see you can get. Obviously with no district losses, they are in the driver's seat. But if we can win, we still have a mathematical chance to still win it outright.

"And we own the tiebreaker. But it's going to be a big game regardless. I'm sure their kids are looking forward to it. Our kids are. The fans are. I'm sure the media is too."

Blackman, which is ranked third nationally by MaxPreps, is led by UConn commitment Crystal Dangerfield and MTSU signee Alex Johnson.

Dangerfield, the Lady Blaze point guard, averages 16.0 points and an area-best 6.4 assists a game. Johnson averages 15.1 points and an area-best 9.5 rebounds. However, the Lady Blaze lineup also includes Tennessee signee MeMe Jackson, Georgia State signee KK Williams and junior Jazz Bond.

"You have one of the best post players in the state of Tennessee in Alex Johnson over there," Barrett said. "No one has been able to play her 1 on 1 in the state.

"She's dominated them on the film I've seen. And then you have Crystal Dangerfield, who many would say is unguardable.

"So you have to pick your poison."

However, Riverdale features point guard Anastasia Hayes, who leads the area with 18.9 points and 3.9 steals a game. Freshmen Alexis Whittington and Brinae Alexander average 11.9 points and 10.9 points respectively.

"They are a good basketball team with a lot of firepower over there," Hibdon said. "There is no quit in their team.

"(Whittington) and Alexander are better than freshmen typically are. Both are athletic, and they've got some length to them."

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or tkreager@dnj.com. Follow himon Twitter @Kreager.

TODAY'S GAMES

(All games at 6 p.m.)

Riverdale at Blackman*

La Vergne at Smyrna

Oakland at Siegel

Cannon County at Upperman

Macon County at Central Magnet

Fayetteville at Eagleville

Community at MTCS

*WGNS (1450-AM, 100.5-FM)