By Molly Seales
On Monday, February 7, fans turned out and filled the gym to honor the 8 Riverdale Academy senior basketball players and cheerleaders. Before the game, the seniors were honored and presented with gifts from cheer coach Sidney Jones and basketball coaches Ty Hester and Rebecca Prosperie. The 2 senior cheerleaders honored were captains Kenley Loftin and Renee Prosperie. Both Kenley and Renee have cheered on the basketball boys for the past 5 years. Senior Lady Rebel basketball players honored were #10 Rylee Kate Woodard, #12 Kenley Loftin, and #32 Renee Prosperie. All 3 of these players have been vital to the success of the Lady Rebels for many years. Senior Rebel basketball players honored were #3 Monroe McCarty, #11 Reagan Huddleston, #14 Denver Williams, #23 Ty Jones, and #31 Caden Long. These 5 young men are great athletes and great examples for the underclassmen. All of our basketball players and cheerleaders will be greatly missed next year!
Following the presentations were crucial varsity girls and boys district games against rival Briarfield Academy. The girls’ game was a great spectator’s game. The Lady Rebels had to fight hard and never gave up, defeating Briarfield 49-45. Senior Kenley Loftin made the most of her last game on her home court. She led the Lady Rebels in scoring with 17 points and just missed a double-double, as she pulled down 9 rebounds. She also had 6 deflections, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 blocked shot. Sophomore Sky McMullan had 13 points and also had 9 rebounds. McMullan also had 3 assists, 2 deflections, and 1 blocked shot. 8th grade point guard Mary Claire Jones was also in double figures with 11 points. Jones also had 4 deflections, 3 steals, 2 assists, and 1 rebound. Junior Jessie Kate Cobb added 6 points and dominated the boards, pulling down an outstanding 15 rebounds. She also had 6 deflections. Due to an injury a few weeks ago, Rylee Kate Woodard was only in the game for a minute, but she scored 2 points and had a rebound to a standing ovation on her senior night. Although they did not score, freshman Jadyn King and senior Renee Prosperie were vital in the win. Both played outstanding defense, with King pulling down 4 rebounds and Prosperie pulling down 6 rebounds.
The boys’ game was no contest, with the Rebels walking away with a huge senior night win, 69-22. All of the Rebels saw playing time. The seniors made the most of their last game on the RA hardwood. Caden Long led in scoring with 24 points. He also had 5 steals, 5 deflections, and 3 rebounds. Denver Williams had a huge double-double with 16 points and 19 rebounds. He also had 4 steals, 4 deflections, and an assist. Ty Jones had 5 points, an outstanding 13 assists, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, and 5 deflections. Monroe McCarty, playing in his only game this year due to a football knee injury, scored 5 points. He also had 2 assists, a deflection, and a steal. Reagan Huddleston was again solid across the board with 3 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 assists, and 3 deflections. Junior Ben Almond added 7 points, 3 assists, and 5 deflections, while junior Thad Bates added 5 points. Sophomores Kyle Guillory and Ryder Huddleston added 2 points each.
Both the Rebels and the Lady Rebels have advanced to the state tournament at Delta Academy in Marks, MS. Games for the tournament begin Monday, February 14, but brackets have not been posted. Good luck to our Rebels and Lady Rebels at state!
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