Stewarts Creek girls get boost from Kyra Wilder in Region 4-AAA quarterfinal win
SMYRNA - With starting forward Morgan McCrary in early foul trouble, Stewarts Creek coach Lindy King had to find a spark off her bench during Friday night’s Region 4-AAA quarterfinal contest against visiting Coffee County.
What she got in junior Kyra Wilder were two, important ‘V’s’ – versatility and vertical. Her play off the bench helped lead the Lady Red Hawks to a ‘V.’
Wilder scored nine points and pulled down four rebounds as eighth-ranked Stewarts Creek (24-5) rolled to a 59-34 win, placing the Lady Red Hawks into Monday’s region semifinals against Shelbyville at 7:30 at Siegel High.
“Rebound,” said Wilder, when asked what her primary purpose was entering the game. “I felt confident.”
“It’s a great thing, to have a kid you can put out there that can play post or guard,” said King. “I think we moved her around three times. She was able to play a lot of the game because of that.”
Stewarts Creek isn’t new to success since King took over last season. Coming off a Class AA state title in 2015 at Martin Luther King Magnet, King took over at Stewarts Creek the following year and led the Lady Red Hawks to the Class AAA Sectional.
And, while expectations are surely to get at least back to that point, King has made sure her troops have had blinders on.
“We weren’t thinking about Monday,” said King, whose squad must defeat Shelbyville Monday to earn a second straight sectional berth. “We know everyone is bringing their ‘A’ game right now. (District 8-AAA) is a lot better.”
Brianah Ferby scored 16 points for Stewarts Creek while Jamaya Rogers added 11 and Lauren Flowers nine off the bench.
Lawrence Co. 59, Oakland 50: The third-seeded Lady Patriots' season came to an end at 4-27 after a comeback attempt fell short at Lawrence County.
Oakland trailed 31-20 at halftime and were down by 13 at one point in the third quarter before slicing the deficit to just six (41-35) heading into the fourth.
Maddie Cook scored 21 points - 17 in the second half - to lead the Lady Patriots while Maggie Knowles added 11.
Shelbyville 51, Smyrna 47: After sweeping Shelbyville during the regular season, the Lady Bulldogs were eliminated in the Region 4-AAA quarters Friday.
Smyrna (19-11) trailed 28-26 at halftime and 39-36 entering the fourth quarter.
Senior Kesha Brady, a Tennessee Tech signee, did what she could for the Lady Bulldogs, knocking down four 3-pointers and scoring 25 points. Tyra Hughes and Diamond Forest added eight each.
Reach Cecil Joyce at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.
Saturday’s Region 4-AAA boys quarterfinals
All games start at 7 p.m.
Franklin Co. (17-10) at Blackman (24-3)
Riverdale (12-17) at Lincoln Co. (15-13)
Stewarts Creek (11-19) at Lawrence Co. (16-11)
Columbia (13-14) at Oakland (20-7)
Saturday's Region 5-A boys quarterfinals
East Robertson (16-10) at MTCS (24-4)
Eagleville (15-14) at LEAD Acad. (24-5)
Saturday's Region 4-AA boys quarterfinals
Central Magnet (17-13) at Sequatchie Co. (15-9).