Red Level battled back and was within five points, but were unable to overpower a strong performance by Monroe County and fell, by 63-35 at the Red Level Christmas Tournament girls championship on Wednesday, the 27th of December. 27.
The Red Level’s Alyssa Lee is looking for a teammate who is open against two Monroe County defenders.
Monroe County opened up a four-point lead prior to the time Alyssa Lee scored a layup to reduce down the gap to 4-2. Taniya Boykins finished with a six-point visit and extended up the score to 10-2. with just 4:44 to go in the first period. Mariah Crowell went four-of-six at the hoop, and Ke’Mariah Crittenden and Miracle Wright hit the hoop twice. Red Level trailed 22-10 after the first.
The home Lady Tigers came up with an impressive defensive effort in the second period and only conceded seven points. Boykins scored a triple and finished the game with five points, while Ryleigh Byrd scored to score two. Crowell hit a three, while Wright also added a bucket. Crittenden scored four free throws. Elizabeth Carroll also converted a foul shot. The visitors Lady Tigers clung to a 29-21 lead at the break.
Crowell made a first three in the first few minutes of the third period and increased his score down to 29-24. Monroe County then started to advance by scoring baskets from Jermani Manuel Tylajah McMillian and Boykins. McMillian led the way with six points in the frame and was then followed by Boykins and Manuel who each scored five points. Red Level received another field goal from Wright and a free throw from Lee but fell behind 49-29 after three minutes.
The team continued to gain momentum into the fourth quarter, with five players scoring. Byrd and McMillian both scored four points during the final period, while Taliyah Richardson, and Destini Dubose both got into the scoreboard. Wright was responsible for one of home team’s six points. Zoey Phillips made a leaper within a minute left.
Crowell was the top scorer for Red Level (3-4) with 13 points. Wright also tallied double-digits with 10. Crittenden scored six points in the defeat.
Boykins led Monroe County (9-1) with 20 points in the victory. McMillian had 14 points. He was next followed by Manuel at 13 and Byrd at 10.
Mariah Crowell goes up for an ice bucket during the Red Level girls’ championship tournament match in the match against Monroe County.
The All-Tournament Team is as the following:
- Mariah Crowell (Red Level)
- Miracle Wright (Red Level)
- Tylajah McMillian (Monroe County)
- Riley Byrd (Monroe County)
- Taniya Boykin – Tournament MVP (Monroe County)
- Brantley Edberg (Samson)
- Holly Warren (Samson)
Monroe County defeated Samson, 55-38, during the first girls’ tournament match on December. 26. Red Level will return from the break over Christmas and will begin regional play on the Tuesday of January. 2 at Georgiana.
The article Red Level players lose in Monroe County in tournament championship was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
