Sipsey Valley Bears Fall Against Ramsay Rams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFd7nDOvfF4

By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Tatumn Vaught

This past Saturday the Sipsey Valley Bears faced off against the Ramsay Rams in the AHSAA Class 5A State Semifinals in Birmingham. Led by their coach Adrian Scott, Sipsey Valley had to step up to the challenge of facing the No. 1 ranked team in the class 5A region, but unfortunately came up short losing the game 58-40 at the Bill Harris Arena.

The Bears were optimistic going into the match-up. Earlier in the season, they finished 6-1 in conference play and survived a difficult schedule that ultimately prepared them for the tournament.

After losing in the sub-regional game last year against Holt, Sipsey wanted revenge and had one goal in mind all season: to make it to the Final Four for the first time in program history.

The veteran team showed out in the first quarter, as the Bears led 11-9 against the Rams. Junior Martavious Russell led Sipsey’s offense with 15 points and six rebounds, but struggles came with guarding Rams’ 6-foot-11-inch senior and Mississippi state commit, KeShawn Murphy.

Murphy finished the night with 18 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocked shots.

Despite the outcome of the game, Scott told the media that he was beyond proud of his team and the Bears still accomplished their season goal with gusto.

“This group, they set out a goal at the start of the year to be a final four team,” Scott said. “They worked at it in the season, and it didn’t end quite the way we wanted, but still a group that I think had a successful season and I’m extremely proud of them.”

The Ramsay Rams are also seeking revenge this season. They’ve come up short the past two years losing in the championship game, they’re unwilling to settle for anything less than first place. Ramsay will go on to play Lee-Huntsville in the 5A Championship game Thursday at 4:30 p.m. back in Bill Harris Arena.