JEFF NEAL
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Rockvale’s Coyrtney Barnard tries to keep her balance after getting the ball away from Oakland’s Makenya Sibert during their District 10-4A tournament finals at Siegel on Feb. 23. JIM DAVIS
Oakland’s girls captured the 10-4A basketball tournament title 65-56 over regular-season champion Rockvale Monday night at Siegel High School.
It was his first tournament title for second-year head coach Scott Thomas and Oakland’s first district tournament title since 2022 and third in seven seasons. It was the second straight year Rockvale fell in the district finals.
Rockvale (16-12) will host (6-18) La Vergne Friday night while Oakland (11-15) will host Smyrna (8-14) in region tournament play at 7 p.m. Eagleville will also host on Friday night.
Rockvale jumped to an early lead, but Oakland cut the margin to four, 28-24, at halftime.
The third quarter belonged to Oakland’s KK Richardson. She scored 11 of her 21 points in the period as the Patriots built a 46-37 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
“We had good looks, but they wouldn’t fall and I told them shoot the ball with confidence and our offense would be OK in the second half,” Thomas said. “When we get KK, Mullen and Benford going we can be tough to beat.”
A pair of technical fouls marred things in the second half. Rockvale’s Maziyah Williams was called for a common and technical foul, disqualifying her late in the third period. Oakland’s Makenya Sibert got one for Oakland and three players eventually fouled out.
“We have to just get ready for Friday and it will be great to have both teams at home. It’s win or go home now,” Rockvale coach Perry Lyons said.
BOX SCORE
Oakland (65): KK Richardson 21, Ryleigh Mullen 16, Zariyah Benford 13, Makenya Sibert 8, Derriona Boney 7.
Rockvale (56): Amaya Nash 20, Caydence Thomas 15, Zaniiya Tiller 12, Havyn Harris 7, Maziyah Williams 2.
The ball bounces out of bounds after neither Oakland’s Makenya Sibert nor Rockvale’s Havyn Harris could control it during their District 10-4A tournament finals at Siegel on Feb. 23. JIM DAVIS
Rockvale’s Amaya Nash out battles Oakland’s Derrion Boney for the rebound during their District 10-4A tournament finals at Siegel on Feb. 23. JIM DAVIS
Rockvale’s Havyn Harris dives for the loose ball against Oakland as teammate Cayonece Thomas reaches in to help during their District 10-4A tournament finals at Siegel on Feb. 23. JIM DAVIS
Rockvale’s Ziniya Tiller scores against Oakland while jumping in the middle of a crowd during their District 10-4A tournament finals at Siegel on Feb. 23. JIM DAVIS
Oakland’s KK Richardson goes down while trying to guard Rockvale’s Amaya Nash during their District 10-4A tournament finals at Siegel on Feb. 23. JIM DAVIS