DECEMBER 17, 2015
2015-16 Tolsia Girls Basketball
Fort Gay, W. Va. — Tolsia Rebels have a proud tradition in Boys and Girls Basketball that includes State Championships, Runner Up finishes, numerous State Tournament appearances and countless Region titles. But the last couple years have not been on par with that tradition and Lady Rebel Head Coach Ric Morrone ( 355-173 ), who has been at the helm for 23 years and Boys Coach Mike Smith who won a State Title in 1998 returns to Tolsia to right the ship.
Both Coaches are looking to get back to playing Rebel basketball and improve on the seven wins the teams combined for last year. They also want to build on the success of the Fall Sports like the Football Team ( AA Runner Up ) Cheerleaders ( AA Runner Up ) and the Volleyball Team ( Region Appearance ).
The Lady Rebels are off to a 1-2 start to this season after losing to Fairland to open the year on December 5th and then finished runner up in the BJM/Key Player Shootout at Home over this past weekend.
The Lady Rebels defeated AAA Princeton on Friday Night and lost to AAA George Washington in the Championship game.
Tolsia competes in the always tough Cardinal Conference where defending AA State Champion Sissonville will be the favorite again. The Lady Rebels only have one senior on the team in Michaela Messer a 5-8 guard. Coach Morrone will turn the keys over to highly regarded freshman PG Dena Jarrells who stands 5-7. Moving from PG to Shooting guard will be 5-6 Sophomore Mariah Finley.
In the post will be 5-10 Junior and three year starter Tasha Nichols. A couple other players to look out for is 5-10 Freshman Sarah Jude who can play multiple positions and 5-7 Junior Alyssa Cloud who could be a defensive stopper for THS. Taylor Parsley a 5-9 Junior and 5-10 Sophomore Marlee Marcum will also see some time. The Lady Rebels don’t have much size or depth but hope to make up for that by playing hard and getting up and down the floor.
Girls coaches Ric Morrone, Asst Jennifer Jude, Tammy Jarrells
Tolsia Head Coach Ric Morrone
COACH’S COMMENT
” …Looking for improvement, we have had a couple down years, we have lofty standards at Tolsia and have missed the mark. Have to get back to playing Lady Rebel Basketball with defense and pushing the ball up the court.” Lost a lot of close games last year, couldn’t get over the hump offensively in those games.” Our schedule is really rough and the Cardinal Conference is Brutal.” It has to be a total team effort this year, can’t depend on one player.” Played well in our win over Princeton on Friday, shared the basketball had balance on offense.” Against George Washington in the Championship game we went back to old ways and it cost us.” Hopefully we are playing our best basketball come tourney time.”
Tolsia Lady Rebel Freshman Dena Jarrells
” …I’m very excited to be a Lady Rebel, been around the program my whole life.” Can’t wait to play with these girls and get back in sync.” We need to keep pushing the ball and set the tempo.” We want to make it to state.”
Tolsia Lady Rebel Junior Tasha Nichols
” …Last year was a rough year, I think we will be a lot better and prove people wrong this year.” We need to push the ball and fast break more.” Coach Morrone sets the schedule up for us to prepare for the tourney.” Can’t wait to play Wayne and make it to State.”
Tolsia Lady Rebel Sophomore Mariah Finley
” Play team ball and improve in all areas.” Push the ball, man to man defense and shoot the three.” Dena and I can both play the point so that will help.” I want to play Wayne because we are rivals.” Goal is to make it to State.”
