Aryn Sanders spurs Signal Mountain region victory

Signal Mountain's Maia Rackel guards Smith County's Madison Spirey (30) during the Eagles' region tournament basketball game against Smith County at Signal Mountain Middle High School on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Signal Mountain, Tenn.
Signal Mountain's Maia Rackel guards Smith County's Madison Spirey (30) during the Eagles' region tournament basketball game against Smith County at Signal Mountain Middle High School on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Signal Mountain, Tenn.

Signal Mountain senior point guard Aryn Sanders massaged her legs for a minute following the Lady Eagles' 56-38 win over Smith County.

Her legs are a little tired, and a little sore. That tends to happen when one plays all but the final minute in a Region 4-AA playoff game.

But there is no worry.

"Sometimes when they act tired, I tell them that they're not," Signal Mountain coach Kendra Bell said. "We play up-tempo, and at this time of year we cut back on practice. But she's not tired."

Sanders has plans for today. She is going to catch up with future teammates at Alabama-Huntsville. She's going to a game there.

"There's going to be another signee there, and I'll meet other students, too," Sanders said. "I love getting to see them a bit."

She can brag - not that it's her style - that she scored 30 points Friday night against Smith County. Teammate Brooke Whitmire added 13 points and Maia Rackel scored 10 for the Lady Eagles (25-7). The Lady Owls (18-13) were led by 10 from Alyssa West.

"We knew coming in that we'd have to do a good job on Aryn," Smith County coach Scott Moore said. "Our goal was to keep her outside."

That plan didn't work. Sanders repeatedly drove through the Lady Owls' defense for layups. On two occasions in the second half she stole the ball and sped ahead of chasing defenders for a layup.

"My legs get twitchy after a hard game," Sanders said. "They're sore."

But, as her coach said, they'll be fine for Signal Mountain's next game against Livingston Academy. Sanders spent a good part of the fourth quarter dribbling her way around, through and beside defenders who wanted to foul her. Signal Mountain led for the entire game.

"I like when teams press and play man (defense)," Sanders said. "I enjoy that part of trying to get away."

The Lady Eagles led 10-0 after one quarter Friday by limiting the Lady Owls' opportunities to score. Smith County had six turnovers and seven other empty possessions in the first stanza.

At one point in the second quarter Moore told one of his players on the floor, "If you have one more turnover you're sitting next to me."

Signal Mountain led 20-12 at halftime, then 36-21 after three quarters before sinking enough free throws to keep the Lady Owls at bay.

"You never dream that the first quarter would go as good as it went," Bell said. "I knew they'd make it a game."

They didn't.

"We were ready to shut down their offense," Whitmire said. "We didn't give up a lot of second-chance points.

"It's awesome that we won because we don't want our season to end."

Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP

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