Prep roundup: No rust, no fuss. Sonoraville rolls past Ringgold

Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Ringgold point guard Rachel Lopez (12) dribbles the ball during the girls basketball game between Sonoraville and Ringgold high schools on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 in Calhoun, Georgia.
Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Ringgold point guard Rachel Lopez (12) dribbles the ball during the girls basketball game between Sonoraville and Ringgold high schools on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 in Calhoun, Georgia.

If there was rust resulting from a COVID-related interruption of their basketball schedule it didn't show Friday night for the Sonoraville Lady Phoenix.

Coach Stephanie Caudell's team started strong and then put the defensive clamps on visiting Ringgold for a 69-43 win to remain perfect in Region 6-AAA at 4-0. Sonoraville (8-2 overall) rode the hot hand of Abby Chambers, who had all of her 15 points in the first half, to take a 37-26 lead over the Lady Tigers (8-4, 3-3) and never looked back.

"I really didn't know what to expect since our Tuesday game was postponed," Caudell said of the game pairing the top two teams in 6-AAA a year ago. "We haven't played for over a week, so I was pleased with how we came out tonight. We had a lot of energy and I thought our defense picked up as the game went on. That was great to see because that hasn't always been the case this season.

"Abby Chambers got off to a hot start and Alexa Geary was strong offensively throughout. I thought all of our starters were solid and we got good contributions from our bench."

Alexa Geary led Sonoraville with 19 points, seven coming in the final quarter, while Matti Parker added nine. Riley Nayadley and Rachel Lopez led Ringgold with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The win keeps the Lady Phoenix atop 6-AAA, just ahead of state-ranked Coahulla Creek (7-1) and Rockmart (5-2).

"We haven't played everyone in our region yet, so we need to be able to move our focus to our next game tomorrow against North Murray," said Caudell, whose team defeated Coahulla Creek 50-39 in December. "We just have to keep our heads down and focus."

BOYS' BASKETBALL

Heritage 62, Ridgeland 41: The Generals won their sixth consecutive game by breaking away from a one-point halftime lead with a 22-4 third quarter advantage in the Region 7-AAAA game. Carson Palmer had 16 points, Caden Snyder 11 and Cooper Terry had five of his eight points in the deciding period for the Generals (8-4, 6-0).

McMinn County 62, Bradley Central 61: Ty Runyan provide the heroics at home by hitting the game-winning bucket with four seconds left. The Cherokees stormed back from a 13-point halftime deficit by scoring 46 second half points.

McMinn County (9-5, 3-2 District 5-AAA) had five different players score at least four points in the fourth quarter, which included a pair of 3-pointers from Tucker Monroe. Hayden Frank had 13 points in the win, while Donovan Daniel had 11 rebounds and Runyan supplied six assists.

Bradley Central's Mason Rothwell scored 13 of his game-high 17 points in the first half, while Brandon Shumbera added 14 points for the Bears.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Trion 42, Gordon Lee 28: The Lady Bulldogs (8-3, 3-0 in Region 6-A public) took control of this rivalry game by outscoring the Lady Trojans 20-4 in the third period. Summer Vaughn had seven of her 11 points in the decisive quarter, with Chloe Murdock also scoring five of her 11 points. Emma Langston topped Gordon Lee with a game-high 15 points.

Silverdale Baptist 39, GPS 20: The Lady Seahawks (9-6) played lights out defensively on the road as they only allowed 10 points through the first three quarters. Silverdale is led defensively by senior Tessa Gibson, who combined for 23 points with Becca Lamb (12 points).

SOCCER

With speed, vision and incredible footwork, Gui Vivaldini lit up his competition on the soccer field to help McCallie win a state championship as a sophomore in the spring of 2019.

On Thursday the senior Blue Tornado star announced on his Twitter page his commitment to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels have won two NCAA championships since 2001.

"I am incredibly excited to announce my commitment to play at UNC Chapel Hill for the next four years," said the 6-foot-2, 165-pound Vivaldini who was a TopDrawerSoccer.com All-American with 24 goals and 14 assists in 18 games as a sophomore. "I would like to thank my family, teammates and coaches for helping me get to where I am at today. Go Heels!"

Vivaldini becomes the second Chattanooga high school standout to commit to UNC, as Baylor junior David Danquah did so at the beginning of December.

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