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Ridgeland takes the field with new football coach

By Stephen Prudhomme

Staff Writer

Ridgeland - Walter Davis takes over a football team at Ridgeland High that finished with a 6-5 record and a spot in the playoffs under coach Richard Kirkland. Cane Bay topped Ridgeland 18-14 in the AA state playoffs.

Davis loses top rusher Brenton Walker to graduation, but he does get back junior halfback Jerry Scoot, who rushed for 323 yards on 39 carries and scored three touchdowns. Also returning is junior wide receiver Toray Amlett, who caught 35 passes for 292 yards.

Jasper opens its season Aug. 27 at home against Bluffton.

Veteran coach Jeremiah Faber returns for another season with the boys’ basketball team. Last season, the Jaguars finished with a 14-10, 6-4 record and qualified for the playoffs, losing to Woodland 45-43.

Key players returning to the team are junior forward Toray Amlett, who averaged a team-high 6.2 rebounds to go with 5.1 points per game last season; and senior guard/forward Tevin Stevenson, who averaged 5 points per contest.  Other returning players include sophomore guard Jeremy Scott, junior forward Maurice Dargon, senior forwards Octavius Wright and Isaac Thompson, senior guards Travon Patterson and Darrien Clark, and senior forward/center Jac’que Polite.

Fredrick Toomer is back as the girls’ coach after leading the Lady Jaguars to a 17-7, 8-2 record and postseason berth; Marion defeated Ridgeland 79-58 in the playoffs.

The Lady Jags have eight returning players, including senior guard Tonisha Roberts, senior guard/forward Brittany Ford, senior forward/center Brittany Richardson, junior guards Matesha Stevenson and April Jenkins, junior guard/forward Teletha Dopson and junior center Desiree Lewis.

Pearl Mitchell led the girls’ track team to a fifth-place finish at last season’s state meet.

Senior Shaquilla Mitchell went out with a flourish, capturing two gold medals and a silver. She placed first in the triple jump with a distance of 39 feet, 4.5 inches and was tops in the high jump with a height of 5 feet, 6 inches. In the long jump she placed second with a leap of 17 feet, 4 inches.  

Senior Gelethia Beasley placed third in the 400-meter run with a time of 1:01.06 and sixth in the 100-meter dash.

Adashia Beasley took eighth in the 400-meter run, while the 4X400 relay team finished in seventh place with a time of 4:29.32.

 

e bit with the sets and the kids are still feeling their way around.  Hopefully we'll get that worked out, but so far I'm pleased with the direction we're heading on both ends of the floor," Faber said.
Currently in the starting lineup is point guard Xavier Roberts, wing Aundraye Robinson, center Juwan Huger and power forward Torray Amlett.  Tevin Stevenson is in at the shooting guard position for Brent Walker, last season's leading scorer who hasn't played yet due to an injury.
"When Brent returns our offense will be more versatile and will open up other channels.  Right now we're relying on driving to the basket and distributing the ball.  With him on the floor, he can penetrate and kick or he can finish at the rim or create his own shot.  That's what we're missing right now," Faber said.
One of the biggest keys to the Jaguars' success this season may be depth.  Faber has not been shy when it comes to substituting, running as many as 12 players into the game on a nightly basis.
Jaque Polite, Wilden Polite, Isaiah Tompkins, Devonte Moon, Octavius Wright, Malik Mitchell and Medicus Deloach have all gotten significant minutes early on.  Maurice Dargan, Javon Patterson and Darren Clark are also on the roster.
Ridgeland will continue to test itself when it hosts Beaufort before traveling to Burke High to play in the Modie Risher Tournament Dec. 27-30.  If they are to be successful, it will be because of defense.
"Defense has always been the cornerstone of our success over the years and when I look at the four wins we've had this season, our defense has been the key," Faber said.