Lady Raiders complete youth season

SUBMITTED PHOTO

South Ripley recently wrapped up its youth girls basketball program in successful fashion. Pictured is the third grade team.

As part of the development stage that combines fundamental work with increasing the passion and love for the game, South Ripley’s youth girls basketball program found success in the midst throughout the winter.

The program wrapped up this past weekend and spanned grades 3-6 with those teams playing in a series of regular season and tournament games.

Overall, the four teams went a combined 40-11 during the season with two of those squads capturing tournament championships. The third grade group defeated Madison, Seymour and New Washington to win its title with the championship tilt seeing South Ripley win on a free throw with no time left on the clock. In fifth grade action, the Lady Raiders earned top honors in the postseason, defeating Shawe Memorial, Jennings County and Southwestern (Hanover).

The third grade Lady Raiders finished at 10-2 on the season while the fifth grade went unbeaten for a second-straight season, going 16-0. South Ripley’s fourth grade put forth a tremendous effort and navigated through a variety of wintertime bugs to its roster, battling to a 4-7 record which included a narrow first round tournament loss. Sixth grade green and white members finished runner-up in tournament play this season and ended with a win-loss campaign of 10-2.

Jimmy Dooley, Joe Gentile, Andy Miller, Josie Goldsberry, Adam Gunter and Tara Kelly served as coaches for South Ripley’s youth program with the backing of several individuals and community groups that aided with the volunteer efforts it takes to build the program and help with practices and games.