Led by a defense-first mindset, Rickards girls basketball wins sixth straight game
There are few harder places to play basketball in the Big Bend than at Rickards.
With the rafters lined with state championship and final four banners and the bleachers steps away from the court, the Raiders excel in defending home court. Keeping its perfect home record alive with a 53-35 win over Columbia (11-7) on Saturday afternoon, Rickards girls basketball (14-4) is keeping standards high ahead of the postseason.
"Nothing is given, everything is earned, and we have to stay hungry. Even though you can be successful, you still can't get into a comfort zone," Raiders head coach Chariya Davis said. "You just have to keep pushing to get better."
With the win over Columbia, the Raiders have now won six straight games and seven of the last eight. Led on the court by Genesis Herny, who averages 15.9 points per game, the junior has an instinct for making plays when Rickards needs it, scoring 14 against the Tigers.
"It's really important to have that," Herny said. "Got to read the offense and defense and take what they give us."
With the expectations always high at Rickards, Henry feels like the team can compete as it heads towards the postseason, but it has to get sharper in some areas.
"We are a good team, I just think we could do better," Henry said. "We just got a few more games and need to keep working together as a team."
"Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships"
One of the staples of the Lady Raiders team is its ability to frustrate opponents with its defense.
Holding opponents to under 40 points in nearly half of its games played this season, Rickards' defense stepped up in the second half against Columbia. Allowing 14 points in the second half, including four points in the fourth quarter, the Raiders shut down the Tigers.
"Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships," Davis said. "We pride ourselves on our defense, being able to get stops, because you're not always going to have a great offensive night. You got to be able to defend and get stops you know, in those types of situations."
With one of the toughest schedules in the Big Bend, the Raiders have worked through it with the defense-first mindset that has them ranked as one of the top teams in the 5A classification.
Ranked by the FHSAA as the fifth-best team in 5A, one of the things that has led to the Raiders' success this season is its ability to rotate the squad. With nearly every player on the roster seeing the court for Rickards against Columbia, the ability to utilize depth in big games boosts confidence ahead of the playoffs.
"To be able to step up in that moment and in a playoff implications game, its important because they may have to give us some minutes in the playoffs," Davis said. "Going into the playoffs you have to have some experience of what it feels like to be in those types of games."
Women of Power
Prior to tip-off, the Raiders hosted a ceremony for "Women of Power." Recognizing five women who impacted both Rickards and the Big Bend, but also head coach Davis.
"The women that were there, they inspired my life in one way or another," Davis said. "We've been doing different recognition games, because a lot of times people go unrecognized for their efforts, and those are some powerful women in our community."
Recognized in the pre-game ceremony were Dr. Deborah Barnes, Dr. Elaine Bryant, Dr. Michelle Gayle, Jacquelyn Henderson and Shawanna Moye.
"Just fortunate to recognize them for what they're doing and how they impacted my life and the program," Davis said. "They've helped me out in different ways with the program. So it was good to honor them."
Scoring Leaders
Amirahs Hayes, So.: 16 points
Genesis Herny, Jr.: 14 points
Journee Belcher, Fr.: 9 points
Jariyah Jordan, Jr.: 8 points
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Rickards girls basketball downs Columbia, remains undefeated at home
