By Thomas Sellers Jr.
MEMPHIS — It was finally time for the debut of the Tipton-Rosemark Academy Lady Rebels for the 2021-22 season.
And this opening night was anticipated by some of the area’s top basketball minds like University of Memphis Lady Tigers Head Coach Katrina Merriweather. The new leader of the Lady Tigers was in attendance in the Kingsbury Gymnasium in part to see TRA junior guard Raven Sims.
And Sims did not disappoint, scoring 41 points in a 65-15 win over the Lady Falcons. Sims and the crew used a defense playing the passing lanes and neutralizing Kingsbury guard Zeviya Cross to jump out 21-0.
The Lady Rebels’ roster runs seven deep this season with Emma Richardson, Ava Anderson, Ryleigh Bowers, Lizzie Crowe, Elyse Warren and Jacklynn Hailer.
With several drives to the rim, Sims helped TRA build a double-digit advantage. Anderson added a layup later in the first period that made the score 15-0. With the tally 21-0, Cross finally got the Lady Falcons on the scoreboard with a steal leading to a layup at the 1:26 mark.
TRA was ahead 28-2 after one period. Sims would meet a Kingsbury ball handler at midcourt and create pressure forcing a turnover. The junior guard would gather the basketball and race to the other end for a bucket.
“She is ready to be the leader I need,” TRA Head Coach Cedric Anderson said. “She’s been building toward this for the past two years. Preparing herself with not only school ball but summer ball as well.. She’s doing a great job and this year she is ready to work her butt off to lead this year. Of course down the road we’ll have more challenges.”
The Lady Falcons scored 5 points in the second quarter with Angela Williams hitting a triple. Ava Anderson hit a three-pointer of her own during the period that helped the Lady Rebels go into the locker room ahead 45-7.
The Lady Rebels led by Sims outscored Kingsburg 20-8 to win the season opener. Coach Anderson said he was pleased with his team’s debut but wants the girls to understand the “That’s So Raven” show needs strong co-stars the rest of the season.
“We have to have other kids make some shots — layups, a couple of open jumpers,” he concluded. “And be in position to make plays, be smart when they have the opportunity. Don’t put so much pressure on Raven. She can’t make the rebound, make the steal then go down, make the shot then turn around to play defense.”
