Lady Rebels make statement against Lady Knights

By Thomas Sellers Jr.
The class of West Region basketball in Division II-A has been Trinity Christian all season.
Experts also say watch out for the University School of Jackson. Then they say toss in Northpoint, Fayette Academy and Harding Academy into the mix of potential State qualifiers.
But on the horizon are the Tipton-Rosemark Academy Lady Rebels. Head Coach Cedric Anderson’s crew has experience with players like Brianna Hall, Megan Sanfratello, Abby West and Eva McIntosh. Add in younger players like Raven Sims, Jordan Allen, Cat Turner and Sarah Allyn Thornell, the Lady Rebels might be grabbing a spot in Nashville.
On Feb. 11, the Lady Rebels took a step closer by trying to secure the No. 2 seed in the upcoming West Regionals by beating Sacred Heart 71-21.
“First of all you’ve got to go back to practice,” Anderson noted. “Practice is the most important thing for them right now with them having to process the elite mindset every day – no days off, no plays off. We’re trying to get that mindset.”
Jumping out 20-7 in the first quarter illustrated the Lady Rebels were focused. The Lady Knights could not control the outside shooting of Sanfratello and Turner. Their back-to-back three pointers made the score 14-2.
Then senior center Grace Harvey scored on a put-back bucket giving TRA a 16-2 advantage.
Before the first 8 minutes concluded, Hall and Allen scored in the paint to make the tally 20-7. The Lady Rebels kept up the defensive intensity going on a 23-0 run to start the second quarter.
Sims was the standout during that stretch making steals near midcourt leading to break-away buckets. Sims had a pair of free throws, a steal leading to a layup and a three-pointer that made the score 38-7.
Moments later Sims made a steal and located senior teammate West for a basket to make the total 40-7.
After a Sims free throws, Harvey connected again with a bucket to make the score 43-7. TRA was ahead 49-10 at the break.
The Lady Rebels outscored Sacred Heart 21-11 in the final 16 minutes to coast to the victory.
“They have to understand this is a second season going into the playoffs,” Anderson said. “Everything is more intense. As you’re moving forward, you’re going to have the lower seeded teams playing tougher and the higher seeded teams will be prepared for you.
“We’ve got a lot of teams in our Region with playoff experience,” he added. “So those younger girls and new girls have to be ready to make plays. They have to use their IQ first and athleticism second.”
Anderson said his experience in key spots might be the difference makers if the Lady Rebels are to reach Nashville.
“They’re going to have to show the way in practice, early part of the games and make plays to keep the kids calm,” he concluded. “They have to understand every play matters in the playoffs. They have to take their shots but also create for those who haven’t been there in this type of environment yet.”