TN’s Substate Battles: Winners are Boro Bound, Losers Go Home

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm diving into Loretto vs Cheatham, Clarksville vs Colliersville, and McMinn Central vs Alcoa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Loretto (27-3) 64</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cheatham County (28-4) 36</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loretto absolutely dominated this game as they punched their ticked to the Boro, and will now face defending champs Westview on Thursday March 7 at 2:15.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loretto high powered offensive attack was sharp early, and Lorretto seemed super confident shooting on their home rims. In the first half [player_tooltip player_id='409003' first='Ally' last='Weathers'] gave her typical production of 9 points, but it was a surprise performance by freshman [player_tooltip player_id='822374' first='Ally' last='Augustin'] '27 who scored 10 in the first half that really propelled Loretto. Once Loretto got rolling, everyone seeming to join in on the party: [player_tooltip player_id='890228' first='Libby' last='Sanders'] hit a 3, [player_tooltip player_id='290977' first='Jenny' last='Clifton'] hit a 3, [player_tooltip player_id='822269' first='Sophie' last='Weathers'] got a bucket out in transition, and then Augustin went on a personal 5-0....and in a blink Loretto was up 20-8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Halftime score was 30-16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cheatham came out in the 3rd quarter pressing Lorretto, and it did give them problems. As teams are now game planning for the 1st round of state...watching Cheathams 2nd half pressure is certainly something Westview will look at (but Westview runs that extended 2-3 so well I do see them changing anything).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the fourth quarter, [player_tooltip player_id='409003' first='Ally' last='Weathers'] scored on three straight possessions extending the lead. [player_tooltip player_id='409003' first='Ally' last='Weathers'] was the games leading scorer with 18 points. '27 Augustin had 15. Sanders finished with 10, Clifton and [player_tooltip player_id='822269' first='Sophie' last='Weathers'] both had 9, and Cozart had 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loretto's defensive effort was fantastic, only allow CC to score in double digits in one quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["822374"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Gosh I liked this '27s game.  The freshman took exactly what the Cheatham County D was giving up by pressing up to shootersu002du002dshe attacked gaps with poise and confidence.  Once she got a paint touch, she was quick to make the right readu002du002dfinish bag, float game, dump-down pass, corner kick.  Once she created space by proving she was a threat off the bounce, she showed she was another young Loretto sniper as she can also knock down the 3 ball.  She was tremendous in the first half ver Cheatham County scoring 10 points.  The freshman finished  the substate win with 15.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e4a73f550ed"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clarksville (31-0!) 62</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colliersville (23-12) 51</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colliersville came out as the aggressor in this one, as the undefeated Clarksville team was trailing by 1 at the half 35-34. But [player_tooltip player_id='245352' first='Imari' last='Berry'] decided to take over, and '25 [player_tooltip player_id='810489' first='Malon' last='Smith'] continued her impressive playoff run...and that was that. Clarksville will now face the mighty Bradley Central Bearrettes on Wednesday at 2:15 pm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After trailing by 1 at halftime, Berry called "Imari Time" and absolutely took over. The Lady Wildcats jumped out to a quick 13-2 run, with Berry scoring 11 of those. She finished the 3rd quarter with 13 points, and Clarksville outscored Colliersville 21-6 in the 3rd. And that's why they are undefeated....when you have a kid as good as Berry--who can get buckets even when the entire defense know what's coming--it completely changes your team. Berry finished the game with 31. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On top of that, Jr [player_tooltip player_id='810489' first='Malon' last='Smith'] dropped 20 again. She's been incredible, and if Clarksville is getting a combined 50 points from their top two kids....gosh they become tough to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='409632' first='Hilary' last='Shikuku'] scored a team hig 24 points for Colliersville. Shikuku was the best player on the floor in the first quarter as she finished with 13 in the first 6 minutes. Khy Khy Rodgers finished with 12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was an interesting game from a strategy standpoint. Clarksville couldn't stay in front of Shikuku, and the D kept collapsing, and Colliersville hit 6 first half 3s. After going 2-3 zone, Colliersville hit zero. This was a great adjustment by Clarkville, and they've show more zone this year than last. The playoffs are all about matchups and adjustments, and having multiple ways to win a game. I thought this was important for Clarksville, to show they can win a big game with a zone--because I have a feeling they will have to show zone vs Bradley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409632"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Wow...this kid was great vs Clarksville.  Clarksville plays some of the best man to man in the state, but they simply couldn't keep [player_tooltip player_id='409632' first='Hilary' last='Shikuku'] out of the paint in the 1st quarter.  Her athleticism has never been in question, and now her skill set looks really high off the bounce.  She was better than advertised in my opinion.  She finished the first quarter with 13 points, and made Clarksville switch to a 2-3 zone.  She finished the game with 24, and almost single handedly caused Clarksville to go away from what they do best.  This kid has absolute star potential, and if you watched her substate performance, you're now a believer too!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e4a73f5516f"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McMinn Central (30-4) 73</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alcoa (21-13) 42</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another interesting game to watch from a strategy standpoint as Alcoa came out in a triangle-and-two: trying to limit the touches of [player_tooltip player_id='245358' first='Molly' last='Masingale'] and [player_tooltip player_id='409633' first='Karina' last='Bystry'], and making another Chargerrette beat them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alcoa's game plan was a good one, and when Bystry picked up her 3rd foul 2:00 minutes into the 2nd quarter, things felt a little dicey Central. And....then [player_tooltip player_id='890290' first='Regan' last='Baker'] '24 showed up to the substate party. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker '24 scored all 11 of her team's points in the 2nd, including three 3s. Baker's huge 2nd quarter gave Central a nine point lead over Alcoa at the half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 2nd half, Central quickly found their groove and outscored Alcoa 27-10 in the frame, and ended the quarter on a 22-3 run. McMinn Central ultimately went up to cruise to a 73-42 win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alcoa tried something different, and I'm sure Coach Morgan is happy about it. Seeing a triangle and 2 forced others to step up and they did. [player_tooltip player_id='821721' first='Malea' last='Masingale'] '27 stepped up in the first half with two big threes (SHOOOOOOTER!!) [player_tooltip player_id='245379' first='Maddox' last='Mayfield'] had some big buckets. [player_tooltip player_id='890359' first='Camryn' last='Loden'] played well. The McMinn Central depth was on display in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And after halftime [player_tooltip player_id='245358' first='Molly' last='Masingale'] got rolling: she scored 14 of her game high 20 in the 2nd half (she's now 81 points shy of the school's all-time mark--and yes....I'm counting). Masingale also finished with 10 rebounds in her 2nd straight double double.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bystry didn't score until the 3rd quarter....but again....this is good for them from the standpoint of: you need to have confidence that you can win multiple way. Central won a "junk defense" game with Bystry limited by foul trouble and a off shooting night. And they won by 30.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reagan Baker '24 finished with 17. [player_tooltip player_id='821721' first='Malea' last='Masingale'] had 11. [player_tooltip player_id='409633' first='Karina' last='Bystry'] finished with 9. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central will face York at 10:30 Eastern on Thursday. Gosh it'll be a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alcoa's tremendous season comes to an end. [player_tooltip player_id='810523' first='Gwen' last='Carroll']'s fantastic playoff run continued as she led the Lady Tornadoes with 14. Amelia Pfeffer had 10. Jacy Knox 5. [player_tooltip player_id='810560' first='Maddy' last='Stewart'] 5. Halle Bailey 5. Kara Pitts 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["821721"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='821721' first='Malea' last='Masingale'] is a freshman that just dropped 11 huge points in a substate game.  As Alcoa came out in a Triangle and Two, it forced McMinn Central's other players to step up, and Malea didn't hesitate.  PGH TN marked her as one of the TN's best '27 shooters in our October previews, and then fast forward to March, and she's knocking down three 3s vs a stingy Alcoa D.  [player_tooltip player_id='821721' first='Malea' last='Masingale'] is already a bucket, and isn't intimidated by the bright lights.  Well done kid!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e4a73f551ca"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e4a73f551e8"} /-->