Published: March 06, 2007 06:24 pm      

Lady Panthers set to prowl in Murfreesboro

It has been a long first season for the Lady Panthers of Stone Memorial High School (28-7) and that’s just fine for the team members and coaches Tim Smith, Radhika Miller and Meghan Egan.

They captured the district title, finished as runner-up in the region and took a long road trip to Elizabethton where they came away with a big win that has propelled them into the “Elite Eight” who will participate in the state tournament at MTSU's Murphy Center in Murfreesboro.

The entire school community is excited about the success of this inaugural season and they are set to follow these young ladies in their quest to stretch the season out just as long as they can. They have had a large following all season and the same is expected when they take the floor in Rutherford County.

Coach Miller has some tournament experience that she can relate to the squad as she made three trips there as a player, the last resulting in a state title.

When asked how she felt when she made her first trip there, she responded, “I get chills just thinking about it. When you are standing in that tunnel getting ready to run out you get this great gush of adrenalin. There’s nothing like it.”

She added, “This team has just been awesome, unbelievable. We’ve talked about what to expect at the tournament and how together we can achieve anything. We know that we have to take it just one game at a time.”

Her enthusiasm carries over to the entire team.

Senior Krystal Henry said, “Winning the game in Elizabethton was by far the best feeling that I’ve ever experienced in basketball. The crowd that made the trip just made the feeling better.”

Fellow senior Erica Martin, who has been the team’s scoring leader throughout the stretch run concurred, saying, ”It is probably about the best feeling that I could have. We are a new school and to be doing something like this is great.”

Junior guard Lindsay Smith said, “It feels like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I’m ready, I’m pumped, and we are ready to play together as a team. Having a good crowd there will be a key.”

Coach Miller’s niece, Destiny Dishman has been a huge factor inside for the Lady Panthers, usually playing against opponents that are taller.

She commented, “This is the first year that I haven’t played outside. Now I’m playing down under against the bigger girls.” Asked about the crowd’s influence she said, “That’s the biggest motivator ever. That pumps me up like nothing else.” When asked about any advice that her aunt might have given her, she replied, “She just told me that after the first part, it will feel like just another game.”

Point guard Chelsey Brown also commented about the effect of the crowd, parents, grandparents and fans, saying, “It always makes me want to play harder so I can make them proud. Brown demonstrated the team concept that this entire squad believes in when she said, “I’d rather dish out a good assist anytime than to score a basket.”

That’s the attitude of unselfishness that has brought this team this far and the same that will be necessary to continue their quest for a championship ring.

Head coach Tim Smith and his assistants have put together some outstanding game plans in the past and that will be necessary for the next win as they take on Marshall County (23-8) on Wednesday evening.

Smith said, “I couldn’t be any prouder of this team. As a first year team they have certainly set the bar high for those teams that will follow them.”

A victory over Marshall County puts them in the Class AA semifinals Friday at 2 p.m. against the Livingston (28-8)-B.T. Washington (30-6) game winner. The championship game is slated for 6:45 p.m. Saturday.

The team will be departing from the intersection of Miller Avenue and 127 South with a police escort through downtown Crossville to the interstate at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Downtown merchants and workers are asked to show their support in any way that they can.