The Raiderettes will advance to Sectionals after winning an overtime thriller with Katy Fletcher hitting a buzzer beater to defeat Cornersville 45-23. They have also secured home court advantage in sectionals by edging Eagleville 38-36 for the Region crown Wednesday night and will play host to McEwen at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Ellie Graham came out against Cornersville like a house on fire, scoring 10 of her game high 19 points in the first frame and personally outscoring Cornersville in the first stanza as the visitors had nine in the opening period.
Madison Dingler came out strong in the second, posting five while Ellie Graham, Emma Sazonov and Fletcher all had two to help their squad enjoy a 21-18 lead at the break. However, Cornersville stepped up in the third and outscored their hosts 12-10. Graham led the way with four while Anna Harder swished a 3-pointer.
Madison Dingler again struck in the fourth as she had seven of her team’s nine in the final period. She had 13 on the night. However, her hot hand was not enough to avoid overtime as the teams finished knotted at 40.
In the overtime period Graham hit a shot from downtown setting up a game winning basket by Fletcher to send the Raiderettes to the next round of the state playoffs.
In the first round of the region, Anna Harder erupted for 18 as the Raiderettes romped over Culleoka 57-24, marking the third time they beat Culleoka this season.
Moore County went up 9-4 in the first behind a pair of field goals from Katy Fletcher and a 3-pointer by Anna Harder. Ellie Graham also contributed a deuce in the first. The Raiderettes pressed the advantage in the second with 11 points as Anna Harder continued with her three-parade, sinking a pair of long shots from downtown. All six of her baskets on the night were from beyond the arc. Madison Dingler also posted a three to the scorer’s book.
The third quarter finished Culleoka as Moore County put up 24 points. Anna Harder had three triples while Dingler had a triple and a deuce. Katy Fletcher put up four as did Graham.
Up 44-17 going into the final frame, the Raiderettes let their foot off the gas. Hannah Martin led the quarter with four points while Ellie Carter, Audrey Harder and Emma Sazonov all had two. Ella Burkes hit a free throw.
