WS Chronicle

Photo by Craig T. Greenlee

Atkins point guard Tyler Mercer drives to the basket during the Class 1-A West Regional championship game.

BY CRAIG T. GREENLEE 

FOR THE CHRONICLE

In the aftermath of having to swallow a season-ending loss in the basketball playoffs, the mood of coach and players was understandably somber. The Atkins girls’ team had come so close to playing for a state title for first time in school history.

What had been an exhilarating and joyful journey for Atkins, ended abruptly in a 56-44 loss to arch-rival Winston-Salem Prep in last Saturday’s finals of the Class 1-A West Regionals. While there’s no shame in losing to the defending state champs, this loss was especially numbing because of the road the Camels traveled to qualify for the regional final.

The confidence level of this team soared to new heights after Atkins knocked off the West Region’s No. 1 seed (Hiwassee Dam) on its home floor. The way the game vs. Prep turned out, though, was far from what the Camels had envisioned.

Although Atkins and Prep had never faced off in the playoffs, the Camels proved they could more than hold their own in previously played regular season match-ups. But that’s not what transpired in the regional championship game.

The Camels had a sub-par day all across the board. As a team, they shot 26.2 percent from the field for the game. The usually stout defense, which typically forces opponents to shoot a low percentage, wasn’t what it needed to be in this high stakes contest. Prep shot 50 per cent from the field.

“Our defense wasn’t as sharp as it normally is,” said Lowery. “As the coach, I take the responsibility for that. Our (defensive) rotations just weren’t that good today. What really hurt us is that they were able to get the ball to places where we normally don’t allow teams to get the ball.”

One of the keys to Atkins downfall was the absence of production from Armani Hampton, a senior forward who has signed to play at Appalachian State. Hampton averaged over 15 points a game for her career. But last weekend she finished with one point and had just one field goal attempt for the entire game. Hampton, who fouled out in the fourth quarter, had four rebounds.

“That was surprising to me,” said Lowery. “We were actually trying to get the ball in to her. That was a big difference for us. Normally, we have three people (to score) in double figures. We did that today. But if she had been able to score more, it would’ve given us four players (in double figures) and that would have put us way over the hump.”

Tyler Mercer turned in the best individual performance for Atkins. The senior point guard had 13 points, which included three 3-pointers. Mercer’s offensive aggressiveness enabled her team to stay in contention for a good portion of the game. defensively,” said Mercer. “Whether it was taking the open shot or attacking the basket, I just wanted to do everything I could to help my team out.”

Atkins loses six seniors off this season’s history-making crew. It remains to be seen whether the Camels will have to rebuild or reload for next season. The key returning players includes sophomore forward Taylor Blakely and post player Kayla Chrisp. Departing senior Saryna Carpenter has no doubts that girls basketball at Atkins will continue to grow and flourish.

“With the season we had, it definitely gives the younger players confidence for the future,” said Carpenter who scored 13 points and pulled down 11 rebounds against Prep. “They’ve seen for themselves that we can do it (compete with the best teams in the state). We were able to set the bar higher and higher every year.”

Lowery paid homage to the Camels’ senior class –Hampton, Carpenter, Davenport, Mercer, Chandler Robinson and Mikalah Muhammad – who were key figures in the girls’ basketball program rising to prominence.

“Those six were very instrumental in the turnaround at Atkins,” said Lowery. “They were the main contributors who helped to put us on the map. I’ve had them for four years and I thank God that they’re in my life.”