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RESERVE — The Riverside Academy girls basketball team did exactly what head coach Darrion Cook asked of them in last Friday’s district championship against St. Katharine Drexel. They started off fast, put pressure on the ball, caused turnovers and kept their foot on the gas until they emerged with a 61-23 win.

Seniors Myracle Revon and Alainah Felton guided the Lady Rebels offensively, scoring 21 and 24 points respectively to secure the district championship. Junior Daja Mixon also came in clutch on the court with seven big steals against Kathy D.

The Lady Rebels swept all five district games this season, having previously collected wins against Crescent City, St. Martin’s, Varnado and McGehee. However, the ladies are still looking to improve their overall season record, which stood at 8-8 early this week.

Head coach Darrion Cook said the team has improved vastly since the first games of the season.

“Before, we were playing slow, trying to find our identity. We’ve realized we are an up-tempo team, and we love to put pressure on opponents that cause easy points for us. We’ve improved a lot shooting wise and just getting into a rhythm,” Cook said.

This year’s squad features three seniors — Revon, Felton, and Grace Trepagnier, who has had to take a back seat this year after tearing her ACL during the volleyball season.

“She’s been around and not down. She’s one of the real leaders who keeps the team in check,” Cook said. “She’s just happy to be there for everyone, and I’m proud to still have her on the team.”

Senior leadership has been important to the team, but the underclassmen are the glue that hold the team together and serve as an energy booster during each practice.

Seventh grader Bailey Melancon gives the Lady Rebels quality minutes. According to Cook, she “plays hard, hustles, rebounds and gives us that spark we need.”

Demira Fisher is another youngster who has made a name for herself on the team. This year has been her first full basketball season, and her speed and height have given the Lady Rebels much-needed length on the floor.

Other key contributors who have come off the bench are Corinne Simon, Kasey Bourgeois and Emme Stowe.

“Right now, I’m telling them we need to finish strong. Don’t go backwards. Be stronger and better than you were the last day,” Cook said. “As long as they believe in themselves, we’ll go far.”

The Lady Rebels basketball team will be back in action this evening at H.L. Bourgeois. The week will close out with road games against Isidore Newman on Friday and Chapelle on Saturday.

The end of the regular season will be February 11, and playoff pairings will be announced on February 13.