Tournament Champions, Rhea County High School Lady Eagles. Left to Right: Raylee Fuller, Jetta Sharp, Cammie Ruehling, Lakyn Lockhart, Allie Shaver, Jenna Burchard, Emree Harris, Maddie Neal and Jo Bishop. Not available for picture. Kloe Reeves and Emma Reeves.(Photo:GaryBolden)
Lady Eagles Win Championship Game Against McMinn County
Evensville, Tennessee 12/30/23
Rhea County Lady Eagles won the championship of the "Rhea County Holiday Tournament" with a 62-50 win over McMinn County Lady Cherokees. The win completed a three-game sweep for the Lady Eagles with wins against Sweetwater and Sunbright before the championship game. Jenna Burchard and Lakyn Lockhart led the Lady Eagles with 21 and 16 points respectively in the championship game. Katie Elliot and Aubrey Gonzales led McMinn with 19 and 15 points respectively.
Lady Eagles came out cold in early minutes, going 1-9 and trailed 6-2 early. But Sharp and Burchard gave Rhea County a 7-6 lead with baskets. Laky Lockhart finished strong with last 7 points of the quarter to keep Eagles close at 15-14. Second quarter was a reverse of the first with Lady Eagles winning the quarter 15-14 to tie the game 29-29 at the halftime break. Lockhart and Burchard combined for 13 of the 15 Lady Eagle points. Katie Elliot led Lady Cherokees in the quarter with 7 points. Burchard also added six rebounds in the quarter for the Eagles.
The third quarter began with 4-0 start by Lady Cherokees but Lady Eagles went on an 10-0 run during the quarter and finished with a Cammie Ruehling 3 to dominate the quarter 16-6 and take the 10 point lead(45-35) into the final quarter. Burchard and Ruehling each had 6 points to lead the Lady Eagles in the quarter.
Eagle kept a minimum 8 point lead in the fourth quarter on their way to the 62-50 win. All five starters made the book in the quarter. With two players unavailable for the game, reserves stepped up and played well for the Eagles. Jenna Burchard owned the defensive boards and Lady Eagles finished the game with a trio of steals to seal the deal.
Four Lady Eagles made the All-Tournament team with one. Lakyn Lockhart, earning the Most Valuable Player Award. Earning All-Tournament were Jenna Burchard, Cammie Ruehling and Allie Shaver. Katie Elliot, Isabella Hooper, Lily Sliger and Aubrey Gonzalez made All-Tournament for McMinn. Also making All-Tournament and not available for pics were Addison Shannon and Isabella Branstettler for Sunbright and Noa Woodruff, Arianna Calhoun and Alexis Price for East Hamilton.
Rhea County Lady Eagle coach Tracy Vest said, "The team played well, especially with two players unavailable today. I am proud of how the freshman played."
"Jenna Burchard played strong inside today. Lakyn Lockhart and Cammie provided outside weapons."
"I am pleased with the progress of the team and their play in the two tournaments was very good."