Ryleigh Hoover is making a name for herself as one of the best 3-point shooters in town.
The Silverdale Baptist Academy senior drained five first-half shots from beyond the arc Thursday, when Hoover's 15 points helped the Lady Seahawks to a 50-20 road rout of Chattanooga Christian School.
Silverdale (7-5) did not allow more than six points in any quarter. It was the second time this season the team has held an opponent to fewer than 30 points; the first was a 51-29 win at East Hamilton.
Hoover has made 47 3-pointers in 12 games (3.9 per game) this season, and she provided clutch outside shots last postseason to help the Lady Seahawks win their second straight Division II-A East District 2 championship. She has four games with at least five 3s, including Nov. 20 against Whitwell, when she made a career-high eight.
Since taking over in 2016, coach Victor Underwood has guided Silverdale to an 86-42 record (.672) - including 35-6 against district completion - three district championships and two state berths.
Hoover and fellow seniors Tessa Gibson, Becca Lamb, Gracie Renegar and Sadie Swanson have held their own with Laney Bone - a 2019 Miss Basketball finalist who has committed to Buffalo - out due to injury and having yet to make her season debut.
South Pittsburg boys 89, FC Boyd 34: Thirteen players scored for the Pirates, who made 10 3-pointers, set a season high in points and extended their winning streak to four games. RaCash Kelly scored 14 points to lead South Pittsburg (4-3), and Garrison Andry and Rico Frazier each had 13. Hunter Frame, Reggie Hunter and Javen Talley also contributed as South Pittsburg scored 71 points over the first three quarters of the road win.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.