Matt Vines
EAST POINT – Memories out of moments.

That’s how the Riverdale Academy girls basketball team is approaching their final home games this week as the hosts of the Class 1A South Regional Tournament.

The Lady Rebels (23-5) are the top seed in the tournament and won’t play until the quarterfinals Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Riverdale will face the winner of No. 2 Wilkinson County Christian Academy and No. 3 Humphreys Academy on Monday at 5:15 p.m.

“This senior group is special,” said Riverdale coach Trey Pittman of his five-member class. “I tell them every game to enjoy the moments because they will soon be only memories.

“They are laser-focused on winning blue trophies in February.”

Riverdale is on a 10-game winning streak in January with eight wins by at least 30 points, but that doesn’t mean the Lady Rebels didn’t face adversity.

Star point guard Mary Claire Jones, who surpassed the 2,000-point career scoring mark earlier this season, missed three games with an injured ankle.

Riverdale fended off Claiborne Academy 65-43 in the game in which Jones was injured, and then the Lady Rebels handled Central (77-20), West Side Christian (43-30) and Union Christian (71-9) without Jones.
Jones is fully healthy and returned for Riverdale’s last two wins.

“In her absence, sophomore Madelyn Chamberlin really stepped up and filled her spot,” Pittman said. “The other guards Kaleigh Pickett and Hanna Huddleston also raised their game during MC’s absence, and those minutes will help us in this upcoming playoff run.”

Riverdale is the favorites as the host but will face competition from other No. 1 seeds Briarfield Academy and Woodlawn Prep as well as a No. 2 seed Claiborne Academy.

Riverdale is a regular tournament host, and Pittman said hosting isn’t possible without administrative and volunteer support.

“Our assistant coaches and athletics director Katie Williamson do a great job with the logistics, and it’s a huge chore as far as facilities, cleaning, food, and hosting teams and officials,” Pittman said. “Volunteers are huge, and we need all we can get.

“I’ve noticed the same group of people do everything, and we need some new blood to step up and help us out.”