GIRLS BASKETBALL: TRA 47, Westminster 33

Taylor Beasley

Megan Sanfratello

Emily Fisher

Brittany Hall

MEMPHIS — Times have been tough for the Tipton-Rosemark Academy Lady Rebels lately on and off the court.

On the court, the Lady Rebels had to prepare for a game Jan. 5 against the Westminster Lady Defenders without senior standout Ally Naifeh. Before that game at Westminster, the TRA players endured an emotional stretch with the passing of teammate and friend Lauren Moody on Dec. 30.

“It’s been a tough week for us with the lost of Lauren,” TRA Head Coach Keith Cox said. “Everyone is still reeling from that. “Then after that tragedy, Ally got hurt Sunday just playing basketball,” he continued. “You can’t be too upset about that. It has been tough so early on a lot of them were confused as far as where they were supposed to be. We kind of slept walk through the beginning.”

The Lady Defenders took advantage of the sluggish Lady Rebels leading 13-11 in the second quarter. Then Emily Fisher sparked a 10-5 run for TRA to close out the first half.

The Lady Rebels kept the momentum the rest of the game to prevail 47-33.

BOYS BAKSETBALL: TRA 63, Westminster 19

Darien Weakley

Johnie Sanfratello

AJ Hightower

Luke Smith

MEMPHIS — The Tipton-Rosemark Academy Basketball programs spent part of the holiday season in Florida.

Although the getaway wasn’t ideal for a tropical vacation, TRA Rebels Head Coach David Hunt said the stay in Florida was productive for his team and a bonding experience. The Rebels’ bond grew tighter when the players arrived back home to find out their classmate Lauren Moody had passed away after her battle with cancer.

“It’s been a very tough situation, of course for the Moodys and the kids at Tipton-Rosemark Academy,” Hunt said. “It’s hard to understand how to react to something like that. What do you say? These guys they’ve come together. We’ve prayed together and talked about it. These guys, we’re trying to fight through it. We’re playing the rest of the season for the Moodys.”

The rest of the season started Jan. 5 against the Westminster Defenders in Memphis. In total dominance and displaying class at the end, the Rebels won the game for Lauren 63-19.

It was a team effort that allowed the Rebels to jump out 25-8 after one quarter. Withe senior guard Johnie Sanfratello running the show, players like AJ Hightower, Darien Weakley, Shelden Spence and Preston Trainor all scored in the opening period.