Leake senior trio ready for another run

Southern Sports & Travel

There have been 43 seasons of basketball played in the history of the MAIS and in that time no single school has dominated its’ class in such a manner that the Leake Academy Rebelettes have the past seven seasons.

Leake’s record setting seventh straight state championship came in a 52-44 win over Bowling Green last season and that win notched state title number fifteen in the books, another record for a girls or boys team in the history of the MAIS.

This Saturday most expect Leake and Bowling Green will square off once again as both squads have shown to be playing on a different level than the remaining field in Class AA. Some have even considered the two teams the second and third best in the entire field of MAIS girls teams right behind defending Overall Champion Starkville.

This past Saturday top ranked Leake nailed down their eleventh straight Class AA North State title with a 69-30 win over third ranked Oak Hill in Madden.

That game was also the last time Leake’s seniors will ever play on their home court again but it also marked the last time that arguably the best guard tandem in the MAIS will play together in the familiar surroundings of the Joe F. Shepard Gymnasium.

Hannah Peoples and Anna Katherine Nowell are the fuel that drives the 38-0 and seven time defending Class AA Champions. Peoples and Nowell have permanently etched their marks into the rich tradition that is Leake Rebelette basketball and head coach Doyle Wolverton has seen his share of premier players in his 38 years at the helm of the girls program at the Madden, Mississippi school.

 “Hannah Peoples and Anna Katherine Nowell will go down as the best guard tandem to ever play at Leake,” said Wolverton.

Peoples, who has been an integral part of the varsity squad since she was an eighth grader, is on the verge of accomplishing a feat that may have never been done in the history of  MAIS basketball and that is to start on five state championship teams.

The soft spoken shooting guard has moved up to fourth on the all-time Leake Rebelette basketball scoring leaders list and also just as impressive is the number of wins she has been a part of as a member of the varsity squad. During the past five seasons with Peoples as a starter the Leake Rebelettes have compiled a 196-10 record, four state titles and one Overall Championship.

Peoples, along with arguably the best MAIS girls player ever, Susan Byrd, are the only two Leake players to ever win four state championships.

“Hannah’s expression never changes,” said Wolverton. “You’ll never know if she made a shot or missed it, it’s always the same. It doesn’t matter what I tell her she just looks me in the eye and does what it takes.”

While Peoples is known for her trademark jumper and aggressiveness on the boards Anna Katherine Nowell can be an intimidating force on the basketball court.

Nowell, who has been part of three state championships and averages over 7 assists and 7 rebounds a game, can single handedly take over a game in ways other than scoring.

The senior guard known as “Kat” is one of the better all-around players in the MAIS and spearheads the Leake pressure defense but according the Wolverton she is much more than that.

“Anna Kat has always been like a little momma on the team. Whenever I’m feeling bad or I get sick or I get another stint in my heart she’s always there,” said Wolverton.

“She comes to the hospital, she sweeps the gym floor, changes out the bracket board during tournaments, she does everything.”

Where does Nowell rank among point guards according to Wolverton?

“There’s a fine line between number one and number two when it comes to the best point guards to ever play at Leake,” said Wolverton. “Emily Dees was very good and she led our 1999 team that went 46-0 and won the Overall Championship but Anna Kat is right there with her in regards to the best point guards to ever play at Leake.”

Although Peoples and Nowell garner a majority of the attention the other senior starter on the squad has filled a critical role in the success of the program recently.

Hannah Moore, who didn’t start playing basketball until her freshman year, has been an important part of the puzzle that opponents can’t seem to solve at times.

Moore is the leading rebounder for the Rebelettes but her versatility has been a huge plus for Leake.

“Hannah’s skill level has gotten so much better since her freshman year,” said Wolverton. “She is now able to score, rebound, handle the basketball and do different things for us. Teams have trouble matching up with her because of her speed and strength.”

Leake’s quest for their eighth consecutive state championship got underway on Tuesday night with a 69-32 win over Oak Forest to improve to 38-0 and advance to the semi-finals on Friday where they will face fifth ranked Prairie View.

“We’re going to have to play well,” said Wolverton. We’ve had a few setbacks with injuries and illnesses but we’ll find somebody to fill those spots and give this thing another run and see what we can do.”

Wolverton added, “I tell the kids all the time, you go out there and give your best effort. You don’t have to win a state championship to feel good about yourselves, just give your best and that will always be good enough for us.”

Remarkably Leake went seven seasons without losing a single game to a Class AA opponent. That streak ended last season at West Point when Oak Hill upset the Rebelettes but the only streak Leake is concerned with now is the most important, another state championship to send its’ seniors out as one of the most successful ever.

For those who have never watched this class of Leake Rebelettes play basketball the opportunity to do so is waning. Like a well-oiled machine Leake plays the game as hard and physical as anyone and they go about their business as if the outcome is inevitable.

You also won’t see any taunting and very few outbursts of emotion.

“I don’t believe that’s the way you play the game,” said Leake head coach Doyle Wolverton. “When we go out there we want to play as hard and as physical as possible and when the game is over we shake hands and say a prayer. We’re respectful to others as much as anyone.”

Leake is two wins away from their eighth straight ring but the team that could be waiting in the wings ready to provide a large obstacle for the Rebelettes is second ranked Bowling Green who, should they advance to Saturday’s championship game, will carry a 35-1 record into the rematch.