With a Division I coach looking on, Madison County girls’ basketball team went unscathed in the highest division at Auburn’s June 7-9 basketball camp.
Tiger basketball coach Nell Fortner gave the Lady Raiders rave reviews for their performance, Madison County coach Dan Lampe said.
“Nell Fortner spoke with the coaches afterward and said that it had been a long time since she had seen such defensive intensity for an entire game ... then she hesitated and said for an entire camp,” Lampe said.
For its efforts, Madison County earned “Most Outstanding” honors at the camp.
The highlight of the trip came when the Lady Raiders beat an Alabama Class AAAAAA powerhouse the final day.
Lampe noted that Auburn players and coaches, “jockeyed for position,” courtside to watch the showdown.
Madison County wore down its Alabama foes in the second half and won by double-digits.
Lampe credited the Lady Raiders’ full-court pressure and ability to run the break in the win. Madison County was able to do both by dividing into a red and a gray team — two squads of equal offensive talent — and substituting every four minutes, save for the end of each half.
“Along with great defense and transition offense, it was great to see us actually run through offensive sets with patience and poise under pressure and not short-circuit the plays,” Lampe said.
Madison County sent nine players to the Auburn camp — seniors Shantydra Arnold, Lauren Smith and Juvonna Fleming; juniors Kayla Freeman, Elizabeth Whieldon and Juleigh Fouche; sophomores Molly Glaze and Sam LaZear; and freshman Elise Coberly.
