Red Rebelettes ready for date with destiny as they prepare for 6A State Title Game
When Nancy Ladner was an assistant coach for the Harrison Central Girls Basketball team back in 2005, the Red Rebelettes beat Meridian in the 5A state championship game.
That was the program’s 13th gold ball, but also their last gold ball, something that could finally change by this same time tomorrow, with Ladner now serving as the head coach.
As fate would have it, the Red Rebelettes are playing Meridian yet again in the 6A State Title Game.
Harrison Central coming off its third consecutive Final Four appearance, the only Coast team that can say as much, now playing in its 16th state championship game all-time.
This season has been one for the ages for HC, coming in with an overall record of 29-2 and the Region 8 Class 6A crown already to their name.
More recently, in Wednesday’s semi-final rematch, the Red Rebelettes exacted revenge on Germantown, the same team that put them out last year.
Next up, all eyes on the Lady Wildcats out of Meridian, having now practiced for the last time before tomorrow’s date with destiny. Khyla Ragins said, “It’s a great feeling. We’ve worked so hard for this, and we finally got it. Finally got past Final Four so it feels great.”
Laila Walker said, “We don’t want to look back and say that that could’ve been us. We want to look back and say that that was us.”
Hayleigh Breland said, “Yes, it was us. We stepped up and made it happen from 2005. If 2005 did it, we can do it, too.”
Coach Ladner said, “A lot of emotions go into it. This has been an amazing year, amazing journey for this group of girls. The chemistry that they have has just been phenomenal. They’ll get back off the bus after games and they’ll all go eat together. Where you see one, you see them all. They’re one team, and one goal, and one dream.”
Harrison Central and 26-2 Meridian are scheduled to tip things off at 5 p.m. from the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
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