The Ripley Lady Tigers have three straight trips deep into the playoffs, including playing for two of the last three state championships.
For this competitive bunch, second place won’t cut it. Their eyes are on a state championship.
Our 2019-2020 Ripley Lady Tiger season preview:
Senior trio leads the way
The trio of Siarra Jackson, Amelya Hatch and Summer Kirkman have been at the forefront of the Lady Tigers success the last three season. They will be looked to to lead the way this season, as well.
Jackson will hold down the post, which she does as well as anyone, while Hatch will be the primary ball handler and creator. Kirkman will bring her defensive intensity and outside shooting to the table for one last run with the Lady Tigers.
Experience all over the court
The Lady Tigers are blessed with more experience than the vast majority of teams. Aside from the trio listed above, the Lady Tigers have four other seniors, 2 juniors and a sophmore that have logged minutes and contributed.
Rivers Adams will be looked to to contribute big minutes for Ripley this year and can play both on the post and on the perimeter for the Lady Tiger defense. Skylar and Sydney Flake are sharp shooters that will look to help handle the ball and spot up for three’s. Amy Rodgers, just a sophmore, logged lots of minutes last season and will look to do the same this year.
Games to watch, final thoughts
Coach Steve Willey, entering his fourth year leading the Lady Tigers, thinks his squad will be right in the mix for a state title.
“There are lots of good teams in 4A this year, but I like our team and what we bring back. We just have to play our game,” Coach Willey told us earlier this year.
Ripley has already seen a potential future playoff foe in perennial power Choctaw Central at the Tupelo Jamboree. They open the season with 6A Desoto Central. Into December, the Lady Tigers have contests against 6A Tupelo and a trip to Biloxi to take on Petal and Moss Point. In January, Ripley has the Tangle on Trail and a potential rematch from last years Tippah County Tournament final against 3 time defending state champion Pine Grove.
