Tough schedule helps Riverdale girls stay 'focused' for district showdown

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Riverdale junior Aislynn Hayes drives to the basket between Stewarts Creek defenders Lauren Flowers (20), Morgan McCrary (22) and Kyra Wilder (10) during Friday's contest.

SMYRNA - The girls basketball teams from Riverdale and Stewarts Creek had some classic contests last season.

The Lady Warriors were victorious in each of the four matchups en route to an unbeaten season and second straight Class AAA state championship, but the Lady Red Hawks still earned the school's first state tournament berth.

It's safe to say when the defending national champion Lady Warriors traveled to fellow unbeaten Stewarts Creek Friday for a District 7-AAA battle, hype followed.

"We weren't worried, but we were focused," said Riverdale senior and Vanderbilt signee Brinae Alexander. "We don't back down and we're not scared of anybody. But we know when teams play us, they bring their best. It's their Super Bowl."

Alexander's 16 points helped Riverdale pull away in the second half en route to a 69-44 win, its 50th victory in a row. The teams were tied at 17 at one point early in the second and the Lady Warriors (9-0) held a modest 37-29 halftime lead.

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If the first half is any indication, Stewarts Creek (10-1) isn't going away time soon, even if the gap between the Lady Red Hawks and Riverdale is significant.

"Both teams respect each other," said SCHS coach Lindy King. "(Riverdale coach) Randy (Coffman) is one of the best coaches in the state. They lost a big-time player (Tennessee freshman Anastasia Hayes) and they keep trucking.

"They have more weapons than we do."

Added Coffman, "That Stewarts Creek bunch is good. They didn't get to 10-0 by accident."

Riverdale has been getting every team's best shot for the last two season and have played a pair of nationally ranked teams already this season.

That helped the Lady Warriors entering the district showdown.

"It prepared us a lot," said Riverdale junior point guard Aislynn Hayes. "(After a close first half) we just kept on doing what we do best and stayed focused. We got after it."

The Lady Warriors' tough early-season stretch won't take a rest before January. After playing a tough Daniel Boone squad Saturday, Riverdale will battle in the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix next week and will battle Collins Hill, Ga., in its own State Farm Classic after Christmas.

"We weren't (looking ahead)," assured Hayes. "But, we're so ready (for the Nike TOC). Last year we didn't get to go (snow forced cancellation of flights), so we're more excited this year."

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

 

Riverdale's Amanda Whittington (12) defends a shot attempt by Stewarts Creek's Morgan McCrary Friday.