The Kirk Academy varsity and junior varsity girls basketball teams opened the 2021-22 season last week with a pair of games played at the Madison Madness Tournament hosted by Madison-Ridgeland Academy. Coach Robin Chastain’s crew split the games as they pointed to the start of the regular season this week.
Action began last Monday as both teams ended up on the short end of games against East Rankin with the varsity losing a 38-32 decision and the junior varsity losing a 38-25 decision. On Thursday, the varsity won a 28-23 contest against Copiah, while the junior varsity won a 29-16 decision.
Copiah
The Raiderettes used a 12-4 fourth period to pull away for the varsity win. Kirk managed just three field goals in the final eight minutes and Chastain knows that is one area that will need to improve.
“We have to get more offensive production, but that will come with more time on the court,” Chastain said.
The fourth-year head coach was pleased with her team’s defensive effort. Kirk faced two teams with 6-foot post players.
“Thus far, I have been pleased defensively with our effort – our girls were challenged facing two of the bigger post players we will face this season,” she said. “We are always looking for improvement in our ability to defend the basket.”
Kirk was led by junior Abby Beissel with 14 points, while classmate Molly Lane added nine points. Senior Lexie Draper added three points and junior Sophie Brister scored two points.
In the junior varsity contest, Kirk led 11-6 at halftime and cruised to the win.
“I thought our junior varsity looked a lot better than we did during opening night,” Chastain said. “They will become more comfortable on the court the more they play.”
Charley Rose led Kirk with a team-high 11 points. Mary Elise James finished with eight points and Cecile Brister scored six points. Camryn Allbritton and Anna Lyon Gatlin each had two points.
East Rankin
Playing their second Class AAAAA program in one week, the Raiderettes shutout the Lady Patriots in the opening period and led 3-0. A 10-point second period from Kirk gave them a 13-11 halftime advantage.
“It was battle of the defenses in the varsity game,” Chastain said. “We were able to lead for three periods. Foul trouble plagued us in the fourth period and we lost a little steam. I’m confident in playing these 5A teams will help make us better down the road.”
Scoring proved to be a problem a problem for the undersized Raiderettes.
“They had two post players that were over sixth feet and never left in the paint, making scoring an issue,” she said. “I’m proud of the effort that the girls gave against a quality basketball team.”
K.K. Bailey paced the team with nine points. Lane finished with eight points and Draper had seven points. Beissel roundef out the scoring with six points.
Skylar Simmons and Abigail Stevens paced East Rankin with 12 points each.
In the junior varsity contest, Kirk trailed 10-5 at the end of the opening period and 19-12 at halftime. James led the Raiderettes with 11 points, while Rose finished with eight points. Allbritton and Gatlin both had two points.
“The JV is still grasping the defensive concepts we teach,” Chastain concluded. “They played really hard despite being undersized in both games.”
Kirk was scheduled to host Washington School Monday and travel to Winston Tuesday. Results were not available as of press time.
