Jeanne Anderson, one of the best players to ever wear a Honeybee uniform had her career come to an end Friday night when the Greenville High School girls basketball team fell 58-54 to South Panola in the consolation game of the MHSAA Region 3-6A Tournament at Starkville.
Greenville Coach Dakedreon Lampkin said it was bittersweet having to say goodbye to a player who had coaches since she was in the eighth. Anderson averaged more than 20 points per game this season for a Honeybee team that finished the year with a 17-9 record. Anderson was also a key player on last year’s history making Greenville team which won its first 31 games and made it all the way to the Big House in Jackson.
“I tell them that when they start saying what I am going to say before it comes out of my mouth then I know it is time for them to go,” Coach Lampkin said. “It was a pleasure coaching her all these years, and watching her grow so much.”
Along with Anderson, Greenville seniors Marlia Alford, Quintaria McCray, Kylian Granger, Aaliyah Parker, Trinity Lee and Lazericka Rhodes also played their last games for Greenville High.
This year’s region tournament in Starkville consisted of four teams who were evenly matched throughout the season. Only three of them, however, advanced from the region tournament to this week’s state tournament. On Feb. 11, the Honeybees fell to Starkville in the opening round of the region tournament to set up Friday’s elimination game.
“I said when the tournament started that all four teams were capable of winning the tournament, and four teams were capable of being eliminated,” Coach Lampkin said. “We are playing 6A basketball, and it’s a different animal, and it very difficult to advance. Normally a 17-9 record would mean you were good enough to advance, but this was extremely tough district.”
The Honeybees have advanced out of the region tournament three of Lampkin’s five seasons coaching Greenville. Lampkin said the goal a big goal will be to make it back to the state tournament next season.
“We have had success, but you can’t rely on what you did in the past,” Lampkin said. “Every year is different, and now I guess it is back to the drawing board.”
