Long-distance shooting lifts Coahulla Creek past Signal
A battle in the paint between Signal Mountain’s Olivia Koontz and Coahulla Creek’s Katelyn Richards was fun to watch in a showdown of teams that combined to win 45 games last season.
While Koontz, a future Tennessee Tech player, finished with a game-high 22 points and had three blocks, it was Richards and a 3-point barrage by her teammates that claimed the 60-47 win Monday night.
Richards — who signed recently with Shorter University — scored nine of her 13 points in the second half and also grabbed a gamehigh 14 rebounds.
“We knew we had to come out and make our presence known before they could,” said Richards, who was an all-state selection averaging 16.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and two blocks per game for a 20-win team last year. “Our group has six seniors and we are really wanting to finish as strong as we can. We have shooters, great ball handlers and tonight we put it all together and worked hard.”
Coahulla Creek’s Jillian Powe put on a long-range shooting clinic as she connected on four of her six 3-pointers in the second quarter to help build a 38-25 lead. The Lady Colts sunk nine of their 12 3s in the first half as Ema Turner hit two in the first quarter while Kenley Woods had three on her way to 11 points.
Trailing 49-31 late in the third quarter, Signal Mountain (1-1) fought back as Jaylah Hardy and Koontz provided a jolt.
Hardy was sharp defensively with two steals early in the fourth quarter, one of which she turned into two of her 10 points with a crisp baseline jumper to cut the deficit to 49-39 with 6:24 left.
“Olivia is a very strong player and she played a very good game,” Richards said. “I have never faced anyone taller than me before so it was definitely a test. I am glad we could put it all together. I think this team is definitely capable of pushing even further than last season.”
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
› North Sand Mountain 88, Heritage 46: The Generals fell to 0-2 as the Bison rolled behind 17 points from Derek Bearden and 16 each from Russ Marr and Luke Maples. Heritage was paced by Cooper Terry’s 17 points.
› Coahulla Creek 53, Signal Mountain 40: The Eagles jumped ahead to a 21-11 lead with strong ball movement, which included a near full court pass from Samuel Witherspoon to Braeden Wolfard. Coahulla Creek had the answer though in Riley Mutter, as the versatile big man scored 26 of his game-high 28 points after the first quarter.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL › Trion 66, LakeviewFort Oglethorpe 35:
The Lady Bulldogs improved to 2-0 with the win over the Class AAA Lady Warriors (0-1) as Chloe Murdock had 34 points and Jenna Mosley added 12.
› Silverdale Baptist 48, Walker Valley 33: A strong second half helped the Lady Seahawks claim the non-district win. Ryleigh Hoover led the way with 15 points, including five 3- pointers, and Becca Lamb scored 9 of her 11 in the second half. Cayce Davis led all scorers with 18 points for the Lady Mustangs, including four 3-pointers.
› Sale Creek 49, Rockwood 23: A 19-4 start put the Lady Panthers (2-1) in command early. Keilyn Morgan led Sale Creek with 14 points and 12 rebounds and Kayla Phillips grabbed 7 rebounds.
› Marion County 48, South Pittsburg 42: A quick start to both halves helped the Lady Warriors claim the non-district season-opening win over their county rival. Sara Muir led all scorers with 24 points and Lorence Bradford added 12. The Lady Pirates, who connected on seven 3- pointers as a team, were led by Cassidy Andry’s 14 points.
FOOTBALL
The GHSA announced Monday that, due to a possible shortage of game officials, first- round games in Classes AA and AAAA will be played Saturday.
Heritage’s game at Hapeville Charter is among those affected, ultimately giving the Generals the outcome school officials had sought after facing the possibility of playing with several players out due to COVID-19 quarantining. Heritage had attempted to move the game to Saturday, but Hapeville turned down the request. It will now kickoff Saturday at 6 at Banneker Stadium in Atlanta.
The other area games affected are Stephenson at Northwest Whitfield in Class AAAA, which will now kickoff Saturday at 3:30 in Tunnel Hill, and Chattooga at South Atlanta, whose kickoff in a Class AA first-round matchup has yet to be announced.
In announcing the move Monday the GHSA also said it would establish a rotation of classifications that will play on Saturdays for future first rounds. Subsequent rounds this season will be, barring special circumstances, played on Fridays.