TWICE AS NICE!

The 2016 edition of the Winston Redbirds had a chance this year to do something that this school had not accomplished since the 1992 basketball season.  It has been 24 years since the boys and girls teams both became District Champions.  Both squads have had successful seasons since that time, but the elusive double championship had eluded the Redbirds, but not this year!

The Lady Redbirds went into Friday's District title game against a familiar foe, the Pattonsburg Lady Panthers.  Despite being a lower seed than the Lady Panthers, the Redbirds were a confident bunch. The Lady Redbirds came into the game with a 17-10 record on the year and a 15-4 record since the winter break.  The Redbirds had defeated the Lady Panthers a few weeks earlier during their Homecoming game, but that was a Panthers team that had been weakened by injury and this was a squad at full strength who had just handily defeated the #3 seeded DeKalb Lady Tigers.  This promised to be a tough game no matter which squad emerged victorious.

The Lady Redbirds came out strong and served notice in the first quarter that they would not go down without a fight.  Tough defense and balanced scoring helped the Redbirds to a 21-18 halftime lead.  The second half saw the Redbirds build a lead in the third that the Panthers reduced to 5 in the fourth.  However, solid free-throw shooting and tough defense allowed the Lady Redbirds to pull away late and claim the District Title 54-30.

The Winston boys squad came into their title game a team on a mission.  All year long, the Redbirds had been building momentum towards the State playoffs.  After rolling to the title game, the Redbirds record sat at 26-0.  Their title game, like the ladies, would also be a rematch.  They would draw the #3 seeded DeKalb Tigers who in the previous round upset the #2 seed Saint Joe Christian.  The two teams had squared off previously in the championship game of the Osborn Tournament.

The Redbirds came out fired up and dominated from the tip.  Winston's trademark stifling defense was once again up to the task.  The Redbirds contested every shot, tipped passes, and frustrated the DeKalb squad.  All 15 players on the roster appeared in the game and in the end the Redbirds came away with a commanding 56-18 victory only allowing the Tigers to convert on four field goals all game.


Both teams will now advance to the Sectional round of the MSHSAA Championships.  The two Redbird squads will be in action on Tuesday night.  The Lady Redbirds will be taking on the Norborne Lady Pirates and the Boys will have a rematch against the Hardin-Central Bulldogs.  Both games will be played at Liberty North High School with the girls game beginning at 6 and the boys playing at 7:45.  I hope to see a packed Redbird gym on Tuesday evening.  Show up, wear red, cheer loud, and let everyone know...It is a Great Day to be a Redbird!