By Dave Ongie, News Editor
A cold wind, steady rain and gloomy gray sky couldn’t come close to putting a damper on the proceedings taking place out in front of Ridgeview Elementary School last Friday morning.
Friends and family of the Ridgeview boys and girls basketball teams were there to provide a rousing sendoff as both teams prepared to leave on a motorcoach to compete in the TMSAA State Basketball Tournament. The Ridgeview cheerleading squad went along to cheer on both teams as they competed in Middle Tennessee.
Ridgeview’s boys team advanced to the state tournament for the first time in nine years with a 32-21 win over University School. Jacob Arnold was named the MVP of the Class A Sectional Tournament, and Brady Weems led the team in scoring with 10 points against University School.
A.J. Burke, C.J. Lizotte, Weems, Arnold, Ben Hall, Quinlan Held, Ryan Sarvis, Kaden Lyle, Stephen Hensley and Jaden Scott made up the squad, which is coached by Alex Percell and his assistant Derek Percell.
Ridgeview’s girls punched their ticket to the state tournament with a 36-18 win over Hampton in the sectional round. Lillie Walters was named MVP while Kenzie Bacon led the way against Hampton with 14 points and nine rebounds.
Ella Wilson, Brionna Fletcher, Kadence Williams, Ella Head, Sadie Honeycutt, Bacon, Walters, Katie Sparks and Kerrigan Lewis represented the Lady Raptors, who are coached by Bradley Leonard and his assistant Jaclyn Jenkins.
