coachmom

Congratulations Lauren...a much deserved honor to a special young woman. Many people think this is a one or two year thing to reach such an accomplishment. Daddy Steely and I have been watching since third grade and we know what it took to get there. We again congratulate the 2008 AA State Champion Tigerettes and this year's great team for its undefeated regular season. Way to go Tigerettes! Continue the Tradition!

Eddie Suiter

Sincere congratulations go to all the Tigerettes (also including those who practice against the starters each day to make them better) and Coach Steely and Coach West. This is an incredible group of fine young ladies, not just great basketball players, who have represented our school and community with class. We are so proud of all of you! Your #4 question is right on. If you are not a careful observer, you will not be aware of the total dependence our team has on McKenna to get the ball down the court, watch for the open person, call the play, and get the job done. She is the first female athlete (that I am aware of) in school history to be a starter on a State Championship team in two sports. In her four years as a starter on both the basketball and softball teams, she can claim a State Championship in softball, third place in state in softball, runner-up in State Championship in basketball, and 2008 STATE CHAMPIONS in basketball. She also is graduating with High Honors and has signed with Martin Methodist, along with teammate Jessica McQueen, to play basketball next year. To McKenna and all the Tigerettes, it is what it is and you are the real thing.

Congratulations Tigerettes! You are a classy group of young ladies, and you make us proud each time you go on the floor. You played your game today, again unselfishly. Each of you contributed significantly to this win through your defense, shooting, and smart playing regarding loose balls, etc. Keep up the good work. Daddy Steely and I love to be a part and love each of you. Keep continuing the tradition.

Of course, that would be great, but considering that they don't even report the scores during regular season and very few in tournament time, I doubt they would be concerned with the pairings. Their back luck, I say. High school ball is deserving of more attention from the media.

That accomplishment is great Lauren. The public needs to know that she achieved this very unselfishly. Many games this year she has played just two quarters to let younger players get experience. Even Friday night, coach took her out after she scored her fourteenth point which put her over, and she didn't go back in the game. Some players who reach this milestone do it by being the only "go-to girl" on the team. When this same group of girls were together last year, SEVEN different girls were leading scorers over the year's schedule. That fact proves this is a team oriented group of girls who care more about winning that who is doing the scoring. Lauren has the rest of this year and all next year to raise her total. I know she will give her best. After all, that's being a Tigerette and following the tradition that has been set before them. Good luck the rest of the year! Former Tigerettes are very proud of you!!!

Cameron McCullough hit a three on the first shot of the game. Remember also that the Tigers were playing without freshman standout Kedron Johnson who is out with an ankle injury from the game earlier in the week. Talk about defense....there was one series last night when Loretto tried four times in a row to get the ball inbounds but had it deflected by the Tigerettes. Also, the girls JV won a game earlier in the afternoon with lots of girls scoring in that game too. The Smyrna tournament after Christmas will be a challenge. Good teams will be there, but the way to improve is to play the best. Good Luck to both the Tigerette and Tiger teams.

As to the inquiry about the "other ball". The Forrest Lady Rockets won the A State Title last year. The MCHS Tigerettes won the State Title in 1972, 1976, and 1980. In 1976 and 1980, Don Steely, father of present MCHS coach David Steely, was coaching. This young team consisting of 3 juniors, 5 sophomores, and 5 freshmen is the first team since 1980 to make it to the state finals. MCHS has been to the state 19 times. WE ARE SO PROUD YOU HAVE FOLLOWED THE TIGERETTE TRADITION. David Steely's older brother, Ray Steely, took the MCHS boys to the state tournament three times during his coaching career, the only times the boys have gone. In 2002 they also were runner up in the state finals, which placed another ball in the MCHS gym trophy case. Lady Rockets we know you are young too and bring a great team back. Congratulations on going to the state this year and we will be looking for you next year.

TheTigerettes are most certainly still dancing and so would many of you be if you had had the opportunity to go to the Big Dance. We are proud to have second place. First would have been better, but when you think of all the good teams that didn't make it , that's reason to dance.There were many who thought MC might not get out of region, but CPA and Ezell-Harding fell by the wayside. Then losing finals to David Lipscomb probably put us in a better state bracket anyway. A packed gym at McNairy Central at sectionals couldn't believe what the Tigerettes did, as well as Stone Memorial and Livingston Academy. These were very good teams, but your no senior team stuck together and made it to the finals at Murfreesboro. I'll bet there are probably 100 AA teams who would have been glad to take your place Saturday night. You didn't play your game in the first quarter, but you showed in the rest of the game that you have a fighting spirit and didn't give up. The final score only shows the increased difference because of fouling. All this to just say..."Tigerettes you are a team - not just one or two super stars, but a group of dedicated, hard-working young ladies who complement each other so well. Some of you are stronger on defense, others shoot threes, some take it inside, others run the offense, some come off the bench and turn games around, and others provide good practice teams (your time will come, keep working), but you became a very hard to beat team, and we are so proud of you. I also want to compliment you on your behavior both on and off the floor this year, as well as at state. You have made Marshall County proud! You truly have followed the Tigerette Tradition."

The score as given in the Scoreboard is reversed. MC Tigerettes (not Lady Tigers) defeated SH 55-42. Freshmen posts Jakera Simmons and Lauren March had 16 each for MC. Everyone on the bench had good playing time.