Girls’ basketball starts winning season
From Issue 6
The Jackson Prep girls’ Basketball steam has set an impressive winning standard this season. Coach Michael McAnally’s squad is stringing together one of the most impressive regular season resumes in recent memory. As of Tuesday, January 28, the Patriots had amassed a record of 18-7, including three conference wins compared to two losses. Here’s how they got there:
Beginning the season, guards Campbell Perkins, Olivia Sasser, and Olivia Smith teamed with forwards Anna Grace Morgan and Julia Zouboukos to round out the starting five. However, an unexpected injury to Morgan left a hole in the lineup. That hole was quickly filled by Mackenzie Shoemaker, who, along with Zouboukos, has secured key rebounds for the Patriots down the stretch.
The return of talented sophomore Andie Flatgard from a leg injury has been a positive storyline thus far. The youthful guard has provided shooting and ball-handling support off the bench for the Patriots since her return. Additionally, ever-consistent junior Olivia Sasser continues to live up to her reputation as a dangerous scoring threat. Despite their talented young players, the Patriots are undoubtedly held together by their senior leadership. The squad boasts six upperclassmen, each of whom will need to use their experience if they hope for a deep playoff run.
Speaking of playoffs, the Patriots have a chance to improve on their imposing 18-7 record with several upcoming conference games. These games, often against rivals like Jackson Academy and Madison-Ridgeland Academy, are extremely important, as they determine playoff seeding. Beginning conference play, the girls walloped Presbyterian Christian 52-28 and Parklane Academy 41-31. Yet, their nine-game winning streak was soon broken in a 31-44 loss to MRA.
However, the Patriots bounced back to their winning ways four days later with a 53-36 thrashing of Copiah Academy. A matchup with rival and perennial powerhouse Jackson Academy loomed large on the schedule. Accompanied by boisterous student sections on both sides, the Patriots lost the tough matchup 33-41.
If they maintain the tendencies they have shown this year, Prep will rebound well after the upsetting result in Sheffield. You can support your Patriots at home on February 4 and 11 for revenge matches against MRA and JA.
The most important games of the season are yet to come for the talented bunch, so continue to show your support in upcoming games. As for right now, the Patriots will continue to march towards the conference playoffs at Mississippi College.
