Lady Cherokees Win 65-52 over Rhea on Senior Night

February 10, 2022

Evensville, TN -- Rhea County basketball hosted McMinn on senior night to conclude their season. Lady Eagles played even for first quarter at 13-13. McMinn outscored Rhea 19-8 in second quarter to take 32-21 halftime lead. Lady Eagles won third quarter 22-19 to pull within 51-43 at end of three quarters. McMinn wins 65-52 behind a final quarter advantage of 14-9. Lady Eagles were led by Ava Travis with 17 points. Also scoring for Rhea County: Emily McClure 11, Sarah Conley 8, Emma Gentry 7, Hayla Patton 5, Summer Jenkins 2, Kylie Garrison 1, Kaitlyn Taylor 1. Peytyn Oliver had a huge game with 39 points, including five 3-point baskets. Also scoring for McMinn: Aubrey Gonzalez 8, Brooklyn Stinnett 7, Jaz Moses 4, Allie Hansford 4, Addie Smith 3.

Early action in this game saw a very close game with lead changing throughout the quarter until Oliver 3-point basket tied score 13-13 with just under a minute remaining in quarter. Kylie Garrison gave Lady Eagles the early lead in second quarter with free throw. The firs 3 minutes of second quarter saw little scoring as McMinn took a 16-14 lead, but Aubrey Gonzalez hit a corner 3 for 19-14 lead with 4:21 left in half. Sarah Conley broke scored the second basket of the quarter with 2:21 to cut McMinn lead to 27-16, but McMinn quickly responded with a 3-point basket to extend lead to 30-17. Conley hit a corner three to give Lady Eagles final points of quarter and McMinn led 32-21 at halftime.

Hayla Patton hit a three to cut the lead to 32-26 early in third quarter and McClure followed that with running jumper to cut lead to 32-28. At the 4:26 mark of third quarter, Emma Gentry cut the lead to 34-32 with her free-throw line jumper. Over the next 4 plus minutes, Lady Cherokees outscored Lady Eagles 17-11 to take 51-43 lead at end of three quarters behind 12 points by Peytyn Oliver.

In the final quarter McMinn went 10-10 from the free throw line to secure the win 65-52.