The North Caddo Lady Rebels basketball team advanced to the LHSAA Class 2A finals with a buzzer beater 48-77 win over the Red River Lady Bulldogs in the semi finals Thursday night at Rapides Coliseum in Alexandria Thursday.
Destiny Rice passed to Jadah Martin who passed to Deanna Stewart who made a shot with 7 tenths of a second remaining on the clock giving the Lady Rebs the thrilling victory. The Lady Rebels will defend their state crown Saturday at 4 p.m. vs Mansfield. Mansfield defeated Rayville in the semi final game that proceeded the Lady Rebs game Thursday.
“That was huge for Deanna. Deanna was in the gym all summer working on baskets like this, Brian Shyne, North Caddo Lady Rebels head coach said. “She stepped up big tonight. She made the play. It was a normal play for her.”
“Most people would be satisfied after a win like this, but is but were not. We have one more game to play, one more job and one more mission to complete.
North Caddo was led by Destiny Rice who poured in 20 points. Jadah Martin chipped in with 10 points and Sadie Stewart scored nine.
“It feels great to make history again. We don’t have as much talent and height as the other teams do,” North Caddo’s Destiny Rice said. ” A lot of people criticize us and so we don’t play people. But, we play top teams in this tournament. We work hard for everything. We wake up and practice from 6:30 a.m. till 8:30 a.m. and then we go to class. We work hard for everything and nothing was given to us.”
North Caddo’s girls basketball program is making history
The Lady Rebels, state champs in 4-of-the past 5 seasons will try to win their second state championship in a row. The Lady Rebels beat Mansfield in the state championship last year. Now they will try to do it again.
North Caddo’s girls basketball team is one of the greatest programs in Louisiana girls basketball history and is to be considered a dynasty. The Lady Rebs have won the state title in 2015, 2015, 2016 and 2018.
Saturday’s state championship game will be played in the Rapides Coliseum. The game will be broadcasted live on Vivian radio. You can listen to the game on K-104.1 FM and 1320 AM (KNCB). The game will also be streamed live on the Freed AM SPorts APP and on the K-104 website which is K104.net.
Radio station owner Robert “The Waco Kid” will be the play-by-play announcer on the radio.