Ribault Girls Basketball: the dynasty reigns again
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Minus the names on the back of the jerseys and the occasional coaching change, the one constant thing that remains is the dynasty winning another state title.
Ribault cruised to its third state title in the last four years with a 60-37 win over Bishop Moore in the Class 5A state title game February 20 at the Civic Center.
Head coach Sheila Seymore-Pennick guided the Trojans to her third state title (2013, 2014) and the programs 11th overall in dominating form.
Bishop Moore surprised everyone jumping out to a 10-point lead, its largest of the game on its way to a 15-8 first quarter lead.
Kayla Rogers three-pointer in the closing seconds of the first quarter cut the lead under 10, and helped spark a 13-3 Trojans run, tying the game at 18 early in the second quarter.
DayNeshia Banks poured in 14 of her 17 first half points in the second quarter sparking the Trojans to a 28-22 halftime lead.
That was all the room the Trojans (28-1) needed to secure their state-leading 11th state title and improve to 11-2 in state title game appearances.
As with most teams, you might get lucky and play well early on, but eventually Ribault warms up and locks you down.
Ribault went on a 12-2 run in the third quarter, keyed by a pair of three-pointers by Praise Russell to blow the game out and seize control, leading 40-24 heading to the fourth quarter.
Rennia Davis led the Trojans with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots, Banks added 19 points with 12 rebounds to go along with Russell (nine points) and Rogers (eight points).
Before facing Bishop Moore in the finals, Ribault first had to get through nemesis Dunbar in the state semifinals.
The two met in the 2012 and 2014 state finals, splitting games, so there was a lot of bad blood between the two programs.
As usual, Ribault started off slow and allowed Dunbar to stay in the game early on as the two went into the second quarter tied at 13.
A 14-7 run helped Dunbar take a 27-20 lead into half and put the Trojans on the verge of being eliminated in the semifinals.
However, you can’t keep the Trojans rattled for long. Davis carried the team on her back, scoring seven straight points and tying the game at 27 barely a minute into the third quarter.
A pressing defense and Davis’ hot streak sparked an explosive outpour by the Trojans, which helped them regain the lead again for the first time since the midway point of the second quarter.
A 26-6 second-half run gave Ribault its biggest lead of the game at 46-33 early in the fourth quarter.
However, Dunbar wouldn’t go away quietly, cutting the lead to 47-44 with under two minutes remaining.
Holding on to a slim lead, Davis put it away with a jumper with under a minute left, sending the Trojans into their 13th title game appearance.
Davis led the Trojans with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Banks chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Special Feature / North Florida / April-May 2016
Christian Carlyle
Jean Ribault High School
Jacksonville, Florida
By Corey Davis
