The time is now for the “Lady Jaguars”

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The time is now for the “Lady Jaguars”
By Larry Williams
Feb 27, 2003, 07:04 EST

The last two seasons have built up to this one moment in time for the “Lady Jaguars” from Stephenson High School. This Thursday at 4:00 in the Georgia Dome in the 2^nd round of the state playoffs Stephenson will face the school they have watched win the last two Class 5-A State Championships, the Collins Hill “Lady Eagles”.

Guard Rashawn Givens is licking her chops to get going in this big 2nd round match-up.

Coach Dennis Watkins’ ball-club has been marked for greatness every since junior all-star Ashley Thomas stepped on the court as a freshman. Other really good players want to play with great players and since Thomas’s arrival the player base at Stephenson has grown tremendously.

Coach Angie Hembree’s “Lady Eagles” have been the epitome of girl’s high

Ashley Williams is going to have to do a job on the boards for Collins Hill to move on.

school basketball in the state of Georgia over the last two seasons. With 6-3 center Dana Kubik off to display her game at Auburn University the “Lady Eagles” aren’t the dominant team they have been the last two years but it’s playoff time and it’s their crown that teams are after. Don’t cry for Coach Hembree though she returns two all-state players in Stacey Booker and Shannel Harris (both University of South Carolina signees).

The “Lady Jaguars” appear to have all of the pieces of the puzzle in place. Thomas

Aja Pijeaux outside shooting could play a major role if Collins Hill packs in its defense.

is surrounded in the front court by Vonea Gartrell and Chandricia Smith. On the wing are scoring threats Tamekia Green and sharp shooting Aja Pijeaux. The strength of the Lady Jaguars” could very well be its backcourt, where they have some very speedy top flight guards.

Leading the way is sophomore Rashwan Givens who is the floor general for Coach Watkins. Her running mate is also a sophomore Nia Davis who can also run he point. The “X” factor is junior guard Ashia Reid (a transfer from Southwest Dekalb). Reid is a combination of both Givens and Davis.

Against Collins Hill, Stephenson will have to bring it’s “A”, including Coach

Jasmine Herron will face a stearn test against the Stephenson pressure.

Watkins because the “Lady Eagles” won’t beat themselves with mistakes. In their 1^st round game of the state playoffs Stephenson rolled to an easy 86-40 win over Milton. Ashley Thomas scored 30 points to lead the “Lady Jaguars”. Nia Davis scored 16 points and Tamika Green had 14 for Stephenson.

Collins Hill on the other hand had a tougher time but beat a talented Campbell team 66-60. Four players scored 11 points for the “Lady Eagles”, Jasmine Herron, Greteya Kelly, Stacy Booker and Shauntel Ferdinand.

It all boils down to this to be the champs you have to beat the champs and right now Collins Hill is the defending Class 5A state champions. What-up Stephenson are you ready for this, the time is now!