by Rusty Ellis
The Livingston Academy Lady Wildcats fought off a gritty Lawrence County team on Friday night, as they advanced to the Region 4AAA Semifinals with their 52-43 victory.
Livingston got off to a hot start out of the gates early, as they built a 14-4 lead just over halfway into the first quarter. Lawrence County didn’t go away quietly however, as they went on a 13-0 run that spanned from the end of the first to the beginning of the second quarter, allowing them to take a 17-14 lead.
Both teams traded haymakers for the remainder of the first half, as two Lawrence County free throws tied the game at 25-all at the half.
The third quarter saw the visiting Lady Wildcats take a six-point lead with the first six points of the frame, prompting a Lesley Riddle timeout. LA battled back into the game, and senior Halle Ledbetter knocked down a right-wing three with four seconds left in the third to tie the score at 36-all to begin the fourth.
There, Livingston outscored Lawrence 16-7 to earn the nine-point win, powered by six fourth-quarter points by Ellie Butler.
Butler scored a game-high 21 points, while Aleah Melton added 12 points to lead the Lady Wildcats to the victory.
For Riddle, she knew this game was going to be close from the jump, even with the early 10-point lead.
“Their defense is so tough, and I’m not sure we believed how physical they would play until the second,” Riddle said. “We made that quick run early, but I knew that wouldn’t last…this group likes to play physical, but I was afraid that we might back down and I don’t think we did, so I’m proud of that.”
As far as what she said in the third-quarter timeout, Riddle says she didn’t really say anything special. It was more-so that the players knew they were fine and just had to settle down.
“When two great teams play each other, there’s going to be run after run,” Riddle said. “In the huddle, they thought they were fine, they just had to make shots.”
At this point in the season, the oft-discussed motto is “survive and advance.” Make no mistake, Riddle knows it gets no easier from here.
“That’s the case, especially in this district and region,” Riddle said. “A lot of people said we might sweep the region, but the coaches knew that was going to be easier said than done…District 8AAA is good, and with these eight teams that were left, it could’ve been anyone tonight.”
Livingston Academy will now take on Lincoln County on Monday at Tennessee Tech. Tip is set for 7:30 P.M.
