Anna Trull and Brooke Cole

Two McKenzie Middle School Lady Rebel basketball players received special recognition while at basketball camp last week. Anna Trull and Brooke Cole both attended the 25th annual Pat Summitt Basketball Camp at U.T. Knoxville. While there, both girls were named to the prestigeous East/West All Star team.

Over 200 girls in the two divisions of girls, ages 12-13, vied for the 20 spots. Girls from 32 states and two foreign countries competed in this camp. This makes the recognition these young ladies received even more special. Players compete in individual and team competition for four days. At the end of the period, players are nominated and then voted on by a pool of ten coaches. To be selected to the All-Star team, players must be able to impress a very select group of coaches.

Coach Dan Ridley felt that it was a special honor to have both of these young ladies selected. He said he was not aware of any other school which had two players selected to the elite All-Star team. Ridley said he had the opportunity to watch Trull and Cole play at different times during the week and felt both players were very deserving of this honor.

Both players had the opportunity of participating in the East/West All Star game on the floor of Thompson Boling Arena on Wednesday morning. Coach Pat Head Summitt and her staff spoke to the teams prior to the game and were present for the game itself.

Ridley said he was very excited about these two young ladies as both will be returning to the McKenzie Middle School team for the 2001-2002 season.
    

Registration is for children ages five (as of October 1, 2001) through 14 (must not be 15 before October 1). The registration fee is $10 per child. Three or more children from the same family will cost $25.00. We need everyone signed up now so that teams can be selected and the shirts ordered. The same age grouping is expected as in previous year: ages 5-6, ages 7-8, ages 9-10 and ages 11-14. Anyone wishing to coach or officiate should come by City Hall on the July 14 or 21 and leave your name.

Opening day will be August 18 with the parade of colors and introduction of each player and coach. In addition to the opening ceremonies and games, this will also be picture day. Direct any further questions to John Barham at 352-3472.
    

In Game 1 the Lady Rebels defeated Coalfield in five innings with an 8-0 score.
Saturday morning, they faced the Athens Lightning Strikes team and were defeated 10-2, placing them in the loser's bracket of the double elimination tournament. In the loser's bracket, they were faced with playing consecutive games with only a 10-minute break between each.

In their first game of that bracket, they eliminated the Knoxville Thunderbirds 15-0 in a short game, concluded due to the overpowering number of runs scored by McKenzie. Their next opponent was the Midway Green Wave from Kingsport. Once again, the Lady Rebels scored well and eliminated that team 12-6. In their fourth consecutive game Saturday, they faced Camden and once again were victorious with a 9-6 win.

The win over Camden advanced McKenzie to the state championship game where they were again faced with the Athens Lightning Strikes. The game was tied at four through the third inning, but the Lightning then scored to gain a lead and won the title 9-4.