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The Ridge Spring-Monetta girls basketball team with coach Gail Johnson and assistant coach Eugene Middleton (far right) in their scrimmage Thursday vs. Keenan.
LANE KRAMER/STAFF |
The Ridge Spring-Monetta Trojans led by four points with 12 seconds left in last season's Class A Upper State championship game against Louisville.
But that March night was maddening for the Trojans, who watched their seemingly comfortable lead erased, sending them home two games shy of winning the state title.
Louisville pulled within one on a controversial 3-pointer - the Trojans thought the shooter stepped on the line - and got the ball back on a Ridge Spring-Monetta in-bounds lane violation. As time elapsed, a chaotic scramble for the ball in front of the Trojans' goal turned into the game-winning shot for Louisville.
"The girl just threw it up randomly," Trojans coach Gail Johnson said. "When a shot goes in like that, you know it wasn't meant to be."
Morale was low that night, but the team realized it had to forget its setback and begin looking ahead to a promising new season.
"It still irks me a little, but the bottom line is that I accepted it that night," Johnson said. "If we just cry and mope all summer, what will we accomplish? Absolutely nothing."
The Trojans graduated a pair of Augusta Chronicle All-Area performers - Brandi Holloway (second team) and Amekia Corley (honorable mention), but return a solid nucleus from last season's 25-2 team.
Kikki Valentine, a 6-foot-2 center, was named to the all-region team in each of her first three seasons and was all-state last year after averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks per game. Forward Rasalyn Brunson, the other returning starter, was an All-Area honorable mention selection.
"You know the deal," Johnson said. "Kikki controls the paint. I tell the post players, 'That's your house, and you keep your house clean. Nobody can come in your house."'
Valentine has battled nagging injuries since practice began this year, including a sore shoulder and jammed fingers. She must be healthy for the Trojans to compete at last season's level.
One thing the Trojans haven't had to worry about is unity. Family connections can be found throughout the lineup. Three Valentines - Kikki, Ashley and cousin LaTonya are on the roster. Brunson's father, Willie, coaches the boys team at the school.
Johnson's biggest concern, besides keeping Kikki Valentine healthy, is developing chemistry in the team's inexperienced backcourt.
The Trojans, who lost in the second round of the 2001 state playoffs, have had a taste of postseason success but are not satisfied with what they have accomplished so far.
"This year, we want revenge," Kikki Valentine said. "We were hurt, but we got over it. (Now), we're going all the way."
PREVIEW SERIES
The Augusta Chronicle is previewing the high school basketball season. The series culminates Thanksgiving Day, when capsules of area schools will be published.
SUNDAY: South Carolina's coaches tabbed North Augusta's boys as No. 1 in the state.
MONDAY: The Ridge Spring-Monetta girls put a tough playoff loss behind them.
TUESDAY: Augusta Christian's boys have unfinished business.
WEDNESDAY: After winning their first state crown, Brentwood's girls are out to repeat.
THURSDAY: Butler's boys regroup after losing all five starters, while Glenn Hills' girls begin defense of a state title.
Reach Lane Kramer at (706) 823-3221.
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