By Katie McElvy
The Chambers Academy Rebels kicked off basketball season recently with three of four teams getting an undefeated start.
The JV Lady Rebels are currently 4-0 with wins over Springwood 30-22, Autauga 19-10, Trinity 29-3, and Autauga 33-17. One strength of the JV Lady Rebels is their ability to move the ball and spread out scoring. Ten players have already posted points to the board in just four games with Samatha Lovelace leading the way with 23 points so far this season. Aubie McManus has added 21 points while Trenise Tigner has scored 19 points respectively.
The Lady Rebels also have a punishing press on defense which has caused numerous turnovers.
The Chambers Varsity Girls Team has been busy this season with seven games already under their belts. The Lady Rebels have struggled to start the season losing both games in the Evangel Tournament and posting losses against Springwood 30-35 and Autauga 29-32 and 31-43. They had a better showing in the Heritage tournament going one and one and getting a win over Evangel Alabaster 41-36. The Evangel win marked the return of two of their starters, Lizzie McManus and Olivia Daughtry. McManus was the leading scorer in the win with 12 points.
The Lady Rebels started the season slowly last year as well before going on a nine game win streak and making their way to the Elite Eight.
Due to the Rebel’s deep run in the football playoffs, the boys teams have only played one game each, but both teams made promising debuts.
The JV Rebels opened their season on the road at Trinity. They jumped out to a 12-2 start in the first quarter with Hunter Andrews scoring all 12 points for the JV Rebels. Trinity roared back in the second quarter posting 10 points while holding Chambers to just 6, but the Rebels still held the lead 18-12 going into halftime and never lost their lead with the final score being 34-24.
Just eleven days after winning the football state championship, the Varsity Rebels took the court to open up basketball season. With little time to practice, they were still trying to find their groove on the road against Trinity, but the Rebels still walked away with a win 46-42. Grey Haley was the leading scorer in the game with 10 points. TJ Daniel followed 9, and Ryan Smith, Koreen Henry, and Jake Reames all added 6. Austin Brooks was the big man under the goal bringing down 23 rebounds in the game.