By Thomas Sellers Jr.
One side of the Tipton-Rosemark Academy Gymnasium was decked out in white in support of the home team.
The visiting Christ Presbyterian Academy Lady Lions came into the Division II-A State Tournament First Round game with a mission to ruin the historic moment for the TRA Lady Rebels. Tuesday night’s game was the first time the Lady Rebels have hosted this round.
Once TRA got the jitters out of the way, the non-stop defensive pressure employed by Head Coach Cedric Anderson dominated the night and gave the Lady Rebels a 67-30 victory over the team from the Nashville area.
TRA secure the home contest Friday night beating Harding Academy in the West Regional Semifinals. The Lady Rebels’ reward paid off with the home crowd and student section rooting on the girls as they kept the pressure and traps flowing against the Lady Lions.
“It was big No. 1 get over the hurdle of beating a good team like Harding Academy,” Anderson said. “And then to set ourselves up for a home game and get back here for the First Round. Gave us a chance to settle down and get our nerves settled a little bit.
“Hopefully get a win against a good team and great program in CPA,” he continued. “In which we did against a well-coached team. Our girls played with the intensity like we hoped the would and have been for the past month and half.”
The Lady Rebels surged ahead 16-6 after one quarter with all five starters scoring. When TRA all-time leading scorer Megan Sanfratello drilled a three-pointer, TRA was ahead 10-2. Brianna Hall added a hook shot and Raven Sims raced to the cup for layup.
CPA didn’t get any relief from the full court press of the Lady Rebels in the second quarter. The Lady Lions managed to score 7 points right before halftime.
“We preaching and they’re executing,” Anderson said. “First have the proper position, the proper posture and then proper execution. Then play with the speed and then play up to your skill set. They did a proper job of that tonight.”
The Lady Rebels increased their output in the second period with 18 points. The offense got rolling when Jordan “JoJo’ Allen hit a step-back three-pointer to make the score 19-6.
Abby West was next to contribute with a bucket. Then Sims went back on the attack with a layup. The freshman point guard used her vision on the next play to locate Hall for a basket to make the tally 25-6.
Allen and Sims traded buckets before Hall closed out the third half with a three-pointer. TRA was ahead 34-13.
CPA almost scored double digits in the third period with 9 points. Meanwhile the Lady Rebels tallied 17 points. Allen went on the attack in the post using moves to get a basket and draw a foul leading to a pair of free throws.
The Lady Lions drew a few fouls after the Lady Rebels would steal the ball and race to the other end of the court.
And just like the first quarter, TRA won the fourth quarter 16-6 to close out the game advanced to the Quarterfinals. The Lady Rebels will head across the state to take on Knoxville Webb.
“It’s going to take us understanding that we have to put this game behind us and take it one game at a time,” Anderson concluded. “The girls know we have to go a tough environment this weekend and be prepared mentally. We’re going to go ahead watch the tape and put a plan together. Then we’re going to go in there and try to execute our game plan and make adjustment as we have to.”
The Lady Rebels prepared to make history heading to Knoxville Friday night. TRA dominated Knoxville Webb to prevail 64-31 and advance to the final four of the Division II-A Girls State Basketball Tournament in Nashville.
The Lady Rebels will take on familiar foe Trinity Christian on the campus of David Lipcomb Friday.
The winner will advance to the championship game. TRA is 0-3 against Trinity this season.
