SR
Lady Raiders & JCD Lady Eagles check out the WNBA professional
game
Gary Franklin, Sports Writer
Father's Day activities on June 21, for the fathers
of many Jac-Cen-Del and South Ripley Lady basketball players
included a trip to Indianapolis to the Indiana Fever vs '09
WNBA champion Detroit Shock.
Not so much for the entertainment provided by the WNBA's professional
girls basketball game, but for the scrimmage that was to follow
between the two high school Eagle and Raider teams on the
big court.
With a one hour time limit to use the floor, the two varsity
squads scrimmaged to a tie and after a one minute overtime
period found themselves in yet another tie. At that time,
the JV teams hit the fieldhouse court for a 10 minute go at
it.
Tickets for those attending in support of the HS teams were
sold at a reduced rate from the general admission price with
both coaches responsible for selling a minimum of 50 tickets.
Both exceeded that requirement early in the sales' process
with enthuastic followers eager to be a part of the venture.
According to Lady Raider Coach Brian Samples, the Lady Raider
activities this summer prior to the Fever scrimmage have included
open gyms about two days a week and competitions: five game
shootout at Anderson University, a two day stint at Trimble
Co. Kentucky with four games played, a three game set at Clarksville
HS and a five game venue at Hanover College before the Fever
scrimmage. IHSAA rules prohibit coach contact with the team
for the week of June 29th - July 3rd.
Coach Samples stated, He and the Lady Raiders expect to possibly
compete in a few more shootouts during July, and that their
new strength program is set to begin on July 6th. He also
extended thanks to Coach Smith of the Lady Eagles for the
invitation to the Father's Day scrimmage at Conseco as many
of the girls had never experienced a Fever game let alone
playing on the Conseco Fieldhouse WNBA court."
As for JCD and Scott Smith's Lady Eagles, the coach and team
have culminated their summer activities with the scrimmage
at Conseco.
JCD also participated in shootouts, which included competitions
at Indiana Wesleyan University, Clarksville HS, Hanover College,
a four day stint at Vincennes University and finally the Father's
Day scrimmage with SR at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Coach Smith stated, "The kids have worked very hard,
played a lot of great competition and I think have begun the
process of becoming a team."
* It remains quite obvious as the two teams have met and competed
many times at different sites over the summer that the SR
and JCD Lady basketball programs are and should remain interesting
for area fans for many years to come.
