Lady Raiders host No. 1 Jefferson

Fareedah Washington and the Lady Raiders face top-ranked and unbeaten Jefferson at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Bess Activity Center. [Click to enlarge]

By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

The Three Rivers Lady Raiders have won three straight region games and they will need that momentum.

The Lady Raiders host top-ranked Region XVI foe Jefferson at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Bess Activity Center.

Jefferson comes into the game with a record of 23-0 overall and 6-0 in Region XVI play. Three Rivers (17-4) is tied for second in region play with Mineral Area.

"They are a quality basketball team," Three Rivers coach Jeff Walk said. "From what little game film I have seen on them, they are very well disciplined and very well coached."

The Jefferson offense features Danielle Adams, who is averaging 21.8 points per game this season. The Jefferson offense is averaging 87.4 points per game, sixth in the nation. Walk emphasized not getting caught up in the talent of the opponent.

"The kids have to understand that they get up in the morning and eat something and put their socks and shoes and their clothes on just like everybody else," Walk said. "We need to make sure we are not afraid of them and just go out and play."

Jefferson defeated Three Rivers three times last season but sophomore forward Meridith Medlin is feeling good about the upcoming game.

"We have to go in with a lot of confidence, thinking that we can beat them," Medlin said.

Three Rivers will make sure it gets a defender on the potent Adams.

"She is going to draw some attention," Walk said. "For one, she can score."

The quick-strike offense of Jefferson is something the Lady Raiders are aware of.

"They are a team, if you even back down for a second, they are going to leave you," Medlin said. "We have to focus really hard on staying with them at all times."

The fact that Jefferson hasn't lost a game can be taken different ways for the Lady Raiders.

"You can spin that two different ways; one, they are right for a loss," Walk said. "On the other side, we have played well all year long and we are not going to change anything and keep doing what we are doing."

Walk emphasized that region games are all preparation for the tournament at the end of the season.

"Ideally, you want to win this one," Walk said. "But the one at the end is the one you (really) want to win."

The Lady Raiders have some offense of their own going into the matchup. Fareedah Washington is averaging 15.2 points per game and also had a double-double in a win Saturday against Moberly. Freshman Sara Woodgeard had a double-double in the win as well. The outside game for the Lady Raiders of Morgan Davis and others has helped the inside game.

"We have two of the better shooters in the region and (Moberly) wasn't going to let that beat them," Walk said. "That has opened things up in the middle. You have to pick your poison."

More than anything, Three Rivers has to stick to what is does well.

"We have got to make sure we play our brand of basketball," Walk said. "If we play Jefferson basketball, they are going to beat us as bad as they want to beat us."