With 29 seconds remaining and his team trailing by a point, Apalachee High School girls basketball coach Michael Parks calmly called timeout and began talking to his team.
Parks could be seen smiling at his team as if to say, “We’ve got everything under control.”
As it turned out, the Lady Wildcat mentor was correct in thinking everything was under control. Lacresha Mayweather sank a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left and that basket held up as AHS stunned state-ranked Madison County 49-47 Tuesday night. It was only the second loss of the season for the Lady Red Raiders and their first in region play. After the game, it was all Parks could do to contain his emotions.
“This is the biggest win in program history,” Parks said. “Madison County was ranked fourth in one poll. We played great defense. It was unbelievable the defensive pressure we applied the whole game. The crowd even acknowledged the defensive effort.”
Trailing 28-16 at halftime, the Lady Cats turned the game in the third quarter.
AHS outscored Madison County 22-9 in the third quarter to pull within a point after trailing by 12 at halftime.
With each basket in the third quarter, the confidence of the Lady Wildcats grew. Despite the score being close throughout the fourth quarter, AHS did not take a lead until 2:20 was left when Aliya Ballard made a basket.
The Lady Red Raiders responded to go back in front at the 1:32 mark and the score remained that way until Mayweather’s 3-pointer.
“We talked Monday in practice about challenging yourself,” Parks said. “We are right there where we want to be. If we get beat then I want us to do it giving our best effort.”
Saboyce Shelton came alive in the second half with 13 of her 15 points. Shelton also finished with 10 rebounds
Ballard finished with 13 points and Mayweather contributed 12. Ryan Burke, whom Parks praised going into the game for her contribution of late, was a force in the post with eight rebounds.
“I didn’t even know what to say to them after the game,” Parks said. “This is all new. This was a huge step for this program.”
