Siegel defeats La Vergne to advance in 7-AAA girls tournament

MURFREESBORO – First it was Rachel Tracy, then it was Correna Ellis who went on scoring streaks for Siegel as they battled La Vergne in the opening night of the District 7-AAA girls basketball tournament on Wednesday.

Tracy scored 22 and Ellis scored 19 to boost Siegel to a 55-41 victory at Johnny Parsley Memorial Gymnasium.

Tracy got things started for the Lady Stars. She connected on consecutive 3-pointers from the left corner to give Siegel an 8-4 lead. The Lady Stars never relinquished the lead.

"We all came together as a team and we decided that we wanted to win," said Tracy.

Tracy also scored on consecutive 12-footers at the end of the first quarter to give the Lady Stars a 17-7. They were able to maintain the double-digit lead through the rest of the game.

"She gets in a rhythm," said Siegel coach Alan Bush. "They came out in a little bit difference defense than we had seen before. We just got her the ball and she was successful."

Ellis went to work in the second quarter, posting up and scoring in the paint. The Lady Stars got the ball to her and she took advantage of it.

"She can be a force," said Bush. "When she's ready to play she definitely can be a presence."

Ellis scored seven straight points, including a three-point play. Behind Ellis' strong effort, the Lady Stars increased the lead to 25-7.

Siegel increased its lead to as much as 25 at 40-25 in the third quarter.

La Vergne's Seana Morris scored 14 points, including two 3-pointers, to lead the Lady Wolverines. Twelve of her points came in the fourth quarter.

Brianna Chapman had 11 for La Vergne.

It was only the fourth win of the season for Siegel (4-23). Three of the wins came against La Vergne, which ended its season 5-26.

"They're very physical, and tough to guard," said La Vergne coach Kim Francis. "Then the Tracy kid shot the ball really well on the perimeter for them. She's a great player. I was very proud of our kids, I thought they competed and played hard all season."

The Lady Stars will play against Oakland Friday.

"It's a tournament game," said Bush. "I didn't think we had a lot of energy tonight, but we'd better get some before Friday."

Siegel 55, La Vergne 41

La Vergne 7 2 11 21 – 41

Siegel 17 14 11 13 – 55

La Vergne: Seana Morris 14, Brianna Chapman 11, Jakeia Campbell 3, Shenke Hart 4, Lexie Newman 2, Brandi Davis 2, Miessa Lane 2, Christina Gilbert 1, Khandis Johnson 1

Siegel: Rachel Tracy 22, Correna Ellis 19, Patrecia Brown 4, Morgan Clemmer 3, Mia Metcalf 5, Kennedy Hammonds 2.

7-AAA GIRLS TOURNAMENT

Next games: Friday

Location: at Riverdale

No. 4 Smyrna (19-7) vs. No. 5 Stewarts Creek (18-9), 6 p.m.

No. 3 Oakland (21-5) vs. No. 6 Siegel (4-23), 7:30 p.m.