By Thomas Sellers Jr.
The Tipton-Rosemark Academy Rebel Basketball roster features seven freshmen.
Head Coach Cedric Anderson still has the same expectations of past TRA squads that reach State twice in the past four years. Another demand of a Cedric Anderson-led basketball team is his trademark defense.
Friday night it took a few minutes for TRA’s pressure to overwhelm the visiting Trinity Christian Academy Lions. The spectators in the TRA Gymnasium were on edge after the first quarter with the Rebels only ahead 12-9. After TCA took an 18-14 lead, the Rebels flipped the switch closing out the first half on a 10-0 run. Then TRA dominated the third period outscoring the Lions 18-8 to seize control leading to a 66-39 win.
“The turning point in the game was when we decided to play defense like we’re capable of playing,” Anderson noted. “We got to that point slowly this year. We’re getting to the point we can play our full-court pressure defense the entire game. We’re not there yet.
“We’re probably at about 40 percent of the game,” he added. “If we can get to the point we have 10 guys on that court, 10 guys who know they’re responsibilities, executing we’ll be tough to beat.”
Those freshmen of Jayden Brown, Dillon Butler, Cooper Curtis, Eli Grambing, Luke Grigsby, Waylon Pickett and Sean Taylor have to get with the program quickly. Upperclassmen like Alexander Neon-Blue, Tyler Byrd, Thano Sinis, Sam Cannon and Eli Ramsey have to be the leaders by example with the defense.
Offensively in the first quarter Byrd paced the Rebels with a couple of three-pointers while tallying all 12 points.
TCA tied the game at 12-12 in the opening moments of the second quarter.
The Lions proceeded with a 9-2 run to start the period. After falling behind 18-14, TRA regrouped by using intense defense. The trio of Ramsey, Blue and Byrd all scored baskets to give the Rebels a 24-18 halftime advantage.
Sam Cannon joined the offensive onslaught in the third quarter with a triple to make the score 27-18. Then a bucket by Ramsey inside gave TRA a double-digit lead at 29-18.
A variety of Rebels scored in the third quarter with Blue running the point. Byrd shared some of the No. 1 duties with Blue helping TRA surge ahead 42-26 entering the fourth quarter.
Byrd continued to be steady on offense with 37 points. Byrd used a baseline crossover move to spin to the basket for a hoop. Moments later the senior flew like a bird to the rim for a slam.
TRA earned the league victory by 27 points.
“You’ve got Eli Ramsey who is stepping up playing a versatile role for us inside and outside,” Anderson said. “We have Sam Cannon doing a phenomenal job first year starting. He’s starting to make some outside shots for us.
“Thano Sinis is making some plays,” he concluded. “We have to get to the point where all those guys are comfortable making plays. And Alex Blue started to run the offense in the third quarter. We have to trust the offense.”
