Third quarter rally sends Nettleton past Lady Rebels

Nettleton used a 12-0 third period run to break open a close game in route to a 54-36 victory over Riverside in senior girls basketball action Monday night at Raider Gymnasium.

Nettleton held a slim 31-27 advantage at the half. Briley Douglas opened the third quarter with a 12-foot baseline jumper to slice the Lady Raider lead to two, 31-29. After a Nettleton turnover, the Lady Rebels had a chance to square the game but couldn’t convert. Nettleton seized the momentum and ran off 12 straight points over the next five minutes to grab a 43-29 lead with 1:18 left in the quarter.

Mya Love started the Lady Raider rally with a drive to the basket. After another layup by Travia Woodruff, Tylei Wofford-Byrd canned an eight-footer, followed by Jakyra Meabon’s inside basket, giving Nettleton a 10-point cushion. Love and Wofford-Byrd sank four straight free throws to close out the Nettleton run.

Lady Rebel Grace Puckett wrestles away a rebound during Riverside's Monday night matchup with Nettleton.

Grace Puckett’s scoop shot with 57 seconds remaining in the quarter halted the Lady Raider onslaught, but Love closed the quarter with an offensive stick-back, putting Nettleton on top 45-31 entering the final frame. The Lady Raiders outscored Riverside 9-5 in the fourth quarter to remain unbeaten on the young season.

Riverside hurt themselves in the third period, committing seven turnovers while also losing Lotti Hoffman to fouls. Hoffman kept the Lady Rebels close in the first half, pumping in all her 13 points in the first two quarters.

Nettleton jumped on top 14-7 in the first period, scoring the last nine points of the frame. Dasia Young scored seven of her 12 points in the opening quarter to help the Lady Raiders take an early lead.

Nettleton coach Jason Smith eyes the action during Monday night's Riverside-Nettleton senior girls game at Raider Gym. (Town Crier photos/Trent Fletcher)

Riverside came charging back in the second stanza, erasing a 10-point deficit. Puckett and Hoffman drained back to back treys, followed by a pair of Hoffman free throws, slicing the Nettleton lead to just three points. Nettleton moved ahead, 31-25, late in the half, before Carolina Hoffman knocked down a pair of free throws with 59 seconds remaining to cut the Lady Raider lead to four at intermission.

Young paced the Lady Raiders with 14 points while Elauna Eaton added 12. Nettleton was sharp from the foul stripe, sinking 20-26 attempts while nailing a pair of three pointers.

Lotti Hoffman and Puckett topped the Lady Rebels with 13 points each. Carolina Hoffman scored five, Douglas had three while Hailey Carr added two points. Riverside canned 11-14 foul shots and drained four three pointers. The Lady Rebels lost the turnover battle 17-9.

In junior high action, Nettleton squeezed past Riverside 32-30. N. Rodgers led the Lady Raiders with 11 points. Riverside (7-6) was led by Hannah Gosa’s 14 points. Amber Courtney had six, Kalli Shasteen and Mackenzie Thomas pitched in three points each while Ali Towles and Gracie Washington added two points each.

Riverside returns to the hardcourt Monday night when they play host to Rector in their 2A-3 conference opener. The Lady Rebels travel to Salem to take on the Lady Greyhounds Friday night.