MANSFIELD — JeVar Hudgens knew all the pieces were there. Mansfield Senior’s coach just has to put them in place.
The Tygers, who started their season nearly a month later than expected because of COVID-19 quarantine protocols, are heating up as the postseason approaches and Hudgens isn’t surprised. Senior High is 6-10 after Saturday’s buzzer-beating 44-42 win over crosstown rival Madison.
“We have a lot of young girls who have to get used to playing varsity basketball,” Hudgens said after the Tygers fell to Clear Fork 43-38 in their season opener in late-December. “Once that happens, I think we’ll be alright.”
The late start was especially tough on the Tygers. Mansfield Senior’s roster includes five freshmen and two sophomores. Additionally, Senior High had to integrate three former St. Peter’s players in early-November after St. Peter’s suspended its girls program because of low turnout.
All three, senior Julia Rizzo, junior Ahmani Mitchell and sophomore Kiyah Wentz, have been instrumental in Senior High’s emergence. Wentz averages 7.4 points and a team-high 4.3 assists a game, while Rizzo is good for 7.1 points a a team-best 6.0 rebounds a game. Mitchell averages 2.5 points and 2.5 rebounds a game and boasts a team-high 11 blocked shots.
“All three of them have been a blessing,” said assistant coach El Meeks, who is filling in for Hudgens while he is in quarantine. “Each piece is important.”
A 5-foot-10 forward, Rizzo scored the game-winner Saturday against Madison. She collected a missed free throw by teammate Dakiyah White with one second and her putback came with a second remaining.
“She’s a great kid,” Meeks said of Rizzo. “She shows great senior leadership and the girls vibe with her. She’s very important to the team.”
Just as important has been the influx of young talent. Freshman Kiersten Bradley is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 10.0 points a game. Freshman Monetta Hilory, the younger sister of former Mansfield Senior standout Quan Hilory, averages 6.9 points a game.
“Once we get consistent and stop making the same mistakes, then we’re growing,” Meeks said. “Until then, we’re relying on talent instead of trusting, communicating and understanding.
“When we get selfless and put it out on the floor for our teammates, then I think we’ll be a good team.”
With so many new faces, team chemistry has been a work in progress.
“These girls played against each other. They’re from the same community so they kind of knew each other,” Meeks said. “Once they all got here, they started building together.”
Mansfield Senior will get an opportunity to avenge its season-opening loss to Clear Fork in the first round of the Division II sectional tournament. The seventh-seeded Tygers will visit the No. 6 Colts at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17.
“Credit (Hudgens),” Meeks said. “We’re young, but we are getting better.”
