Red Bank's Shelby Romans makes a move to the basket.
photo by Greg Davick
Shelby Romans was determined that this year would be different.
The previous three seasons, Red Bank’s Romans saw her season end with a loss in the regional quarterfinals. She simply would not allow a similar outcome to bring a halt to her senior campaign playing her final game in Susan Ingram Thurman gymnasium where she’s been a four-year starter.
With teammate Bailey Lee’s scoring presence relegated to the bench most of the game battling foul troubles, Romans single-handedly willed the Lady Lions to a 58-51 win over Sweetwater in Friday night’s Class AA Region 3 quarterfinal.
Romans scored 14 of her game-high 27 points in the final quarter, tallying 11 of the Lady Lions final 15 points to seal the win.
“That’s a senior leader at its best,” Red Bank coach Bailey McGinnis said. “She’s a four-year starter and she went out her last home game and scored 27 points to will us to the win. All her hard work paid off tonight. She’s a three-sport athlete and I wanted the ball in her hands at the end, and she did everything we could ever ask for.”
Romans was thrilled to script a different ending after losing to Sweetwater in this round last year.
“My three years before this we made it to this game, but we were never able to win,” Romans said. “So, it feels great to finally win it and walk off this court with a win my last game.”
Her offensive outburst also pushed Romans past the 1,000-point plateau for her career.
“It feels good. I didn’t know if I was close or not, but I’m glad I was able to accomplish that,” Romans said.
It didn’t appear early in the contest that Red Bank (22-8) would have to rely upon Romans late-stage heroics. Lee scored the first seven points of the game by dominating in the paint as the Lady Lions surged to a 12-0 lead.
But Lee picked up a pair of fouls within seconds midway through the opening frame, forcing her to spend most of the remainder of the half observing from the bench.
“I think that’s what changed the momentum when she went out,” McGinnis said. “She’s one of our team leaders along with Shelby. She’s our encourager on the court, and to have her on the bench deflated us.”
Red Bank expanded its lead in the second quarter to 14 thanks to back-to-back 3-pointers from Romans. But the Lady Lion offense suddenly went dormant.
The Lady Cats outscored their hosts 27-7 during a stretch spanning the second and third quarters, seizing the momentum to take a six-point lead with 1:45 remaining in the third period. To make matters worse for Red Bank, Lee was whistled for her fourth foul less than a minute after reentering the contest.
“Last year we were in the same exact position and played Sweetwater,” McGinnis said. “I told the girls that wasn’t happening again. I called a timeout and reminded them we’ve been down by a lot more than this. I asked them if they believed they could do it, and they assured me they could.”
With a two-point lead entering the final quarter, Sweetwater (13-18) connected on its first four attempts to maintain the advantage. But Red Bank turned up the intensity defensively, forcing the Lady Cats to misfire on their next ten tries.
Meanwhile, Romans asserted herself on the offensive end, and her fifth make behind the arc gave the Lady Lions a 46-45 lead they would never relinquish with 4:30 remaining.
But it was the Lady Lions’ clutch performance at the charity stripe that ultimately sealed the outcome. Red Bank was perfect in eight attempts – four each by Romans and Arteya Scott – in the final two minutes to advance to Monday’s regional semifinals at Loudon against top-ranked Meigs County.
“Free throws have been our nemesis all year,” McGinnis said. “We have not shot that well and have struggled. We preach that free throws win games, and tonight was the first time we’ve really executed that well.”
Savannah Washington added 12 points for Red Bank, and the freshman’s seven rebounds tied Romans for the team lead. Scott finished with nine points coming off the bench, while Lee scored only a single point after her fast start before fouling out in the final minute to close with eight points.
Sweetwater was paced by Mikalee Martin with 16 points, while Mari Robbins chipped in with 11.
The win was particularly rewarding for McGinnis, who excelled in three sports at Red Bank before her collegiate career at Tennessee Wesleyan. Not only did she defeat her former college teammate, Sweetwater coach Heather Jaramillo, but she was able to help restore the pride in her alma mater’s program in her fifth season at the helm.
“I think they won six games the year before I got here, and now we’re 22-8,” McGinnis said.
“It’s been awesome because it was always my desire to turn this program around. It’s been a dream, especially now that I’m a coach after being a student here.
This is truly a special night.”
(To contact Paul Payne, email paulpayne6249@gmail.com or via Twitter @Paul_A_Payne)
Sweetwater 4 17 16 14 -- 51
Red Bank 15 13 7 23 -- 58
SWEETWATER (51) – Mikalee Martin 16, Mari Robbins 11, Barr 8, Wheeler 5, Robinson 7, Upton 4.
RED BANK (58) – Shelby Romans 27, Savannah Washington 12, Lee 8, Ware, Roberts, Scott 9, Bowens 2, Pratt.
3 Pointers: Sweetwater 3 (Barr 2, Wheeler); Red Bank 6 (Romans 5, Washington)