Matt Vines

LAKE PROVIDENCE – When Riverdale Academy’s backs were against the wall, the Lady Rebels came out swinging.

After losing the Class 2A semifinals game to No. 2 seed Marvell Academy, Riverdale needed to win Saturday’s third-place game against No. 2 seed Calhoun Academy.

The Lady Rebels dusted Calhoun 52-28 in the must-win game to advance to the MidSouth Association of Independent Schools’ overall state tournament, which features schools of every classification.

“We played good defense (Saturday) and took advantage of them trying to take away (Mary Claire Jones),” said Riverdale coach Trey Pittman. “Our other amazing players stepped up.”

Placing third in Class 2A puts Riverdale (32-6) as a No. 3 seed in the overall state tournament, and Riverdale draws the No. 2 seed out of Class 6A Presbyterian Christian out of Hattiesburg, Miss.

Both teams face a quick turnaround as they tee off today at 11:15 a.m. in the first game of the entire tournament at host Mississippi College.

Class 6A is the biggest in the MAIS, but a Riverdale win would send the Lady Rebels to next week’s quarterfinals to face the winner of Central Hinds and Tunica Academy.

Riverdale is the only team from the smallest classification to ever win an overall state championship in 2003. Pittman led the squad, and Katie Williamson (assistant coach and athletics director) was one of the featured players.

Pittman’s return campaign is in its second season as Riverdale will attempt to climb that mountain again.

It’s Riverdale’s first appearance in the overall state tournament since 2020.

Looking back at the Class 2A state tournament, Riverdale was bounced to the third-place game after a 59-56 loss to Marvell Academy.

The Lady Rebels led 56-55 with 20 seconds left, but two missed free throws led to a Marvell opportunity for the game-winning bucket.

Inbounding from the side, the Marvell guard who made the go-ahead layup runs out of bounds and back in bounds, which is a violation, before she catches, passes, and drives for the layup.

Riverdale couldn’t answer that bucket, and Marvell tacked on two free throws for a three-point margin.

The loss prevented a shot at the Class 2A state title Friday, but Saturday’s third-place win keeps Riverdale’s season alive after falling in the third-place game this past season.

“Marvell was very fast and determined to get into the paint,” Pittman said. “Makayla Pickett took three charges, but they were not deterred.”

Jones and Pickett were named to the all-tournament team.