Lakeland Florida- Three championships in four years for the Ribault Lady Trojans, an extraordinary feat for the seniors who get to go out on top. Ribault Defeated Bishop Moore 60-37 to become the Class 5A Girls Basketball State Champions!
It was a total team effort on the afternoon as everyone chipped in on the team. Le Terra Ransom, Tiara Hutchinson, and Idamar Mojica put in valuable minutes for the team hustling over the floor and creating tough shots for Bishop Moore. Ribault began to pull away thanks to suffocating defense by the Lady Trojans. Nola Carter, LaQuanze Glover, and Lakeisha Battles were all over the court. Praise Russell was in the zone from downtown hitting big three pointers. Russell finished with eight points.
But the story of this game was Day’Neshia Banks as she led the Trojans with 19 points! She was unstoppable and relentless in the paint. She hit layups, and 17 footers with ease. Rennia Davis led all scorers with 20 points for the game. Davis found her groove in the 2nd quarter as she shook her head in approval after knocking down shots. She and the Trojans were able to overcome a first period that looked nothing like the second. Ribault led Bishop Moore 28-22 after the first. The Lady Trojans weathered an early storm by Bishop Moore, led by Maggia McKenna (7pts ) and Morgan Davis (16pts). Davis had been in a battle with DayNeshia’s Banks down low all game. They both traded shots in the basket and subtle shots to the body in the paint. Banks would not be distracted from the task at hand, getting the best of the matchup. ” I knew that their big girls wasn’t going to out rebound me or out work me. I was confident in what I could do”.
It was an emotional ending for Carter, Rogers (both w/ 3 titles) and the two other seniors who ended their careers with a championship. But for Head Coach Shelia Pennick it was extremely emotional as she was visibly taken with tears after the clock struck zeros.
Coach Pennick, not known for showing emotion shared with DuvalSports.com that she will be stepping down next year with her juniors. Assistant Coach Dorian Stevens is in line to succeed her.
” We pray about things, we think about things, we write down our goals, and it can be emotional at times” said Pennick. ” The first phone call I received after the win was with Coach Austin (former legendary Ribault Coach) and I just hope that I would be able to live up to the Ribault winning tradition”.
She and her team of unselfish student athletes did that and more. They gave it their all this season winning 28 games, losing only once and capping an incredible season with another Girls Basketball Title.
Congratulations to the Ribault Lady Trojans, the Class 5A Girls Basketball State Champions!!
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