Vontasia Rush, a junior at Simmons High School, was leaving the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson last February after the MHSAA Class 1A State Championship game. Rush and her Blue Devils had lost to eventual state champion Ingomar in the semfinals. As Rush exited the building, she turned to a few coliseum workers at the exit gate and said “We will be back next year.”
It’s this type of confidence that Simmons head coach Bernita Alexander has instilled in her girls when she took over the program more than a decade ago. In her tenure, Coach Alexander has taken Simmons to two state semifinals and one state championship game.
This season, although the Devilettes lost many key players from last year like Jamira Scott and Aaliyah Esco, and Taliyah Edwards, the program has the same exact high goals. The Blue Devils are off to a 6-2 start to the season. On Tuesday night, in their latest victory, Simmons went on the road and defeated Greenwood 56-24.
Simmons is led this season by junior post plater Akia Prince (17.4 points per game) and junior guard Vontasia Rush (14.3 points per game).
Both Prince and Rush are helping their teammates — and their coach — figure out how to play together.
“Just like our players are trying to figure things out, I am trying to figure out what they are capable of doing and how far I can push them. We are working on how they can jell together that will enable them to be successful down the line,” Coach Alexander said.
“Vontasia was a role player last year. What she is doing this year is all new. Her role has completely changed. She is one of two of our current players who started last year in the semifinals. Her experience is going to be her biggest asset to our team. She has been there. Even when she wasn’t playing in our 2019 run, she was a trainer so she knows the expectation. Her and Akiah are two of the kids who know what it is going to take to get there. She is playing off.”
Like her coach, Rush has total confidence her team can accomplish its goals.
“I think we can make it back to the Big House,” the Simmons junior said. “I am going to have to work with my teammates and they are going to have to get stronger.”
Role players making key contributions for the Devilettes this season include Shytavia Crawford, Moesha Hoskins, Jamia Ford, Makiah Boyd, Tremiyah Fain, Talayshia Paige, Ashuntie Lundy and Jazaria Madison.
Simmons also has a couple of eighth graders coming through the program who should be ready for varsity basketball in January in Kristen Johnson, Sariyah Alexander and Karmen Marshall. This trio is currently leading the Simmons junior varsity team to an undefeated record.
Said Coach Alexander about her varsity squad, “I feel confident about this team being able to compete, but we have a lot of new pieces. Everybody is contributing. They can go as far as they want to go.”
