Page 62 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2019

SPORTS & OUTDOORS red rebelettes HARRISON CENTRAL
BASKETBALL
story by A.J. Giardina
photos courtesy of Greg Holmes and Nancy Ladner
Thirteen state titles is proof Harrison Central dominated girls high school basketball in Mississippi. Key players included Eugenia Conner,
Rhonda Hawthorne, Rena White, Charlotte Banks, Alexis Hall, Angela Sanders and April Brown.
Success began under legendary head coach Van Chancellor with back-to-back state championships in 1977 and ‘78. He moved on to coach the Ole Miss women’s team in 1979.
The Red Rebelettes didn’t skip
a beat. Coach Mary Davis guided Harrison Central to the 1979 title and Ken Weeks claimed consecutive titles in 1980 and ‘81.
After guiding the Utica boys
to two state championships, Greg Holmes took over the Red Rebelettes coaching duties for the ‘81-’82 season. He faced tons of pressure to keep
Harrison Central on top.
“Many times pressure is what you
put on yourself and I felt that too, but people let it be known that losing that first game could have made for a long year,” Holmes said.
state titles, 9 district championships, 365 wins and 48 defeats. The 1988 team went 40-0.
Holmes said, “We won on talent, our work ethic and we stressed defense. The girls didn’t want to lose.”
After a six-year drought, coach George Rosetti guided the Red Rebelettes to the 1995 title. Dean Shaw won it all in 1996, David Lipscomb in 1997 and coach Ricky Stone in 2005.
Assistant coach Nancy Ladner was promoted to head coach in 2008.
“One thing that is special about Red Rebelettes basketball is the pride, tradition and passion that Harrison Central players play with,” said Ladner.
She played on three state championship teams at Harrison Central (‘78-’79-’80) and one as assistant coach. Ladner’s goal? To add a 14th Golden Ball to the trophy case.
His Red Rebelettes coasted to a 33-4 record en route to the state championship. In 11 seasons under Holmes, Harrison Central posted 4
1979 State Championship team
Red Rebelettes 1982 State Championship team
62 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • December 2019
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LEFT: Nancy Ladner, Red Rebelettes Head Coach. RIGHT: Nancy Ladner in 1979 holding state championship trophy.
Dynasty