After winning only seven games in Jeremy Robinson's first two years as Montgomery County High School girls basketball coach, the Lady Hornets are 12-4 this season, including the championship of the Winona tournament.
Robinson attributes much of the success to the play and leadership of his four seniors. “They have been here since we started. They have been a big part of the team.”
He had praise for all four. “Tatyana Kenney is one of our primary scorers on the team. Her production on the offensive end of the game is a key factor to our success.
“Arkeveah Gayden is a player that can take the ball to the hole and she is a solid defensive player," Robinson said. "Jasmine Ratliff has grown into a pretty good defensive player. She makes key plays when we need them.
“Mo'net Bridges has become a spark off the bench for our team," he said. "She knows how to find the ball and make plays on defense. I have no problem putting her on the other team's best player.”
Kenney, the team's leading scorer at 12.7 points per game, said improved communication has been a key to the success. “We've grown so much over the years.”
Bridges echoed her teammate. “We listen to each other now,” she said. “We're pushing ourselves more this year and we're starting to believe in ourselves.”
Gayden said execution is a key. “We're running all of our plays now. We're listening to each other on the court and listening to the coach.”
Ratliff is confident that the Lady Hornets' success is not short lived. “I think we will make it all the way to the state. We have a good team and we work together.”
Robinson shares that confidence. “When I took over the team, I talked to all of the players and I told them that it had been a long time since Montgomery County had made the playoffs. Our goal was to have a winning season and actually make it to the playoffs.”
The Montgomery County boys and girls teams will resume play Friday with home games against Winona High School.
