Matt Vines

STEENS, Miss. – Riverdale Academy girls basketball coach Trey Pittman had one rule Wednesday as the Class 1A Lady Rebels took on Class 4A Division II champions Madison-Ridgeland Academy.

Don’t play scared.

The Lady Rebels adhered to that, frustrating MRA for a quarter before the Lady Patriots’ size and speed took over in a 60-31 loss in the opening round of the overall tournament.

One of three 3-pointers from Mary Claire Jones handed Riverdale a 5-4 lead midway through the first quarter, and a 1-3-1 zone confused the Patriots.

Kaleigh Pickett’s basket handed Riverdale its last lead at 7-6.

The Lady Rebels missed some layups and open shots in the first quarter despite trailing just 9-7, and the Patriots got on track in the second quarter to build an insurmountable lead.

“I told them the only way I’d get upset with them was if they played scared,” Pittman said. “We were ready to play and gave them all they wanted early and should’ve led after the first quarter.

“MRA is extremely well coached, and I knew they’d adjust to what we were doing. Eventually size and athleticism takes over.”

MRA missed its first 10 3-point attempts, but Anna Kate Woodward started knocking down shots and was critical in forcing 26 Riverdale turnovers. MRA cashed those in for 33 points.

The Lady Patriots opened the second quarter on a 19-2 run and led 32-14 at the half.
A combination of MRA’s size and Riverdale’s zone defense contributed to a 46-24 rebounding edge, leading to a 22-0 advantage in second-chance points.

Jones scored a team-high 13 points with Kaleigh Pickett adding 11 in the loss.

Woodward scored 15 of her game-high 22 points in the decisive second quarter.

It’s the final bow for five Riverdale seniors – Jones, Makayla Pickett, Julia Grace Riggs, Hanna Huddleston and Charity Williamson – who led the Lady Rebels to a 28-7 record this season.

This group reached the overall state tournament for two straight seasons and finished Class 1A runners-up this season.

“Just since I’ve had these seniors the past three years, they’ve won 85 games, three undefeated district championships, three regional championships, two state semifinals and one state runner-up,” Pittman said. “This is an addition to many individual awards.

“We are losing these five girls, but the future is still bright as there is talent and a willingness to work coming up.”