Lee High School- The Ribault Lady Trojans were crowned 2016 Gateway Conference Champions on Friday evening after defeating the Paxon Golden Eagles 76-47. Ribault has won the championship for several years, including consecutive wins against Paxon. Both teams play hard and aggressive on the court, which is a total contrast from the personas of their Head Coaches. Ribault’s Coach Shelia Pennick roams the sidelines with style and fashion, engaging in subtle dialogue with her players on the court throughout moments in the game. Paxon’s Coach Evan Jefferson is cool calm and collected, observing his players from his stance on the sideline. Both are two of the finest coaches the state and its evident by the play of their teams.
Paxon jumped out to a quick lead thanks to the shooting of Jhane Wheeler. She came out confident and poised hitting a three pointer off the dribble for the first points of the game. She would then dazzle the crowd with a killer crossover and pull up bucket, leaving the Ribault defender behind. Wheeler and Kitana Stokes both seemed to will their team in the first quarter of play. Their intensity resonated throughout the team as players like #4 Mackenzie Brigman, and #11 Jillian West hustled on offense to keep plays alive. The Eagle’s effort in the first would keep them close with the defending champions, as the score was 22-16 after one. In the second period Ribault started to separate themselves from their opponents. Rennia Davis answered the Paxon onslaught with strong defense and an offensive counter attack that featured drives to the paint for layups and jumpers from the field. There is no range on the court that is to far for this talented athlete. She showcased this when hitting a three pointer from the corner sucking the wind out of the sails of Paxon before halftime. Ribault led 34-24 at the half.
The second half was all Ribault as DayNeshia Banks showcased the skills that makes her one of the most gifted athletes in the city. A combination of size, and speed, Banks flew across court intercepting passes on defense. She clogged the lanes restricting the Paxon guards from driving to the paint. And she showcased her mid range shot and lethal post up game. Others stepped up their play in the second half too. #3 Kayla Rogers , #4 Praise Russell, and #12 La’Keisha Battles were just some who contributed mightily to the Trojans outscoring Paxon 42-23 in the second half.
Congratulations to the Ribault Lady Trojans 2016 Gateway Conference Champions!
