EVENSVILLE, Tenn. - Even before their Region 3-AAA quarterfinal was over Friday night, the Rhea County girls' basketball team's early deficit against Cleveland was easily forgotten.
What stood out was what the Lady Eagles did after turning their early trouble into a runaway win.
Rhea County sank 14 3-pointers in a 62-40 victory, moving the ball fluidly and making extra passes to find a groove on offense after falling behind 7-0.
Haley Cameron scored nine of Rhea County's 24 points in the third quarter, which she began by hitting a tricky putback basket over a Cleveland defender. The Eastern Illinois signee finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, hitting a trio of 3s - along with teammates Maddie Taylor and Macy Welch, who each scored 11 points.
Rhea County (25-5) made at least three long-range shots in every quarter, with four each in the second and third to build a 52-33 lead heading into the final eight minutes.
"We hadn't been shooting the ball real well lately, and we really focused on that this week," Lady Eagles coach Tracy Vest said. "To see Macy and Maddie step up and hit 3s really gave us a boost. Haley did a great job, too. Our offense was spread out across the board, and our shooting really gave us a shot in the arm."
Taylor, who was battling a cold, provided a major lift out of the early hole. The left-handed shooter - who pauses in her motion before launching the ball - began and ended a 10-0 run with 3-pointers to build a 19-14 lead with 6:28 left in the second quarter.
As a sign of what was to come, Samford signee Mallory Hampton ended the first half by following her cousin Cameron and Welch with a 3 to make it 28-20.
"We all know we can shoot the ball from deep," said Taylor, whose team hit a dozen 3-pointers earlier this season in a tournament at Chattanooga State. "As long as we kick it and whoever is open shoots, we know it is usually in. We are not ready to go home, and I don't think we will be until we reach Murfreesboro for the state tournament."
Bailey Anderson scored 15 points to lead Cleveland, which ended its season at 20-12.
Rhea County advances to a regional semifinal Monday at White County (22-9), which beat the Lady Eagles 84-68 for the District 6-AAA championship earlier this week.
In Monday's other semifinal at White County, reigning state champion Bradley Central (26-3) will face Stone Memorial (27-3).
Stone Memorial ended East Hamilton's season with a 62-60 victory Friday night, when Bradley Central beat Cookeville 57-46 despite leading by only a point at halftime.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.