1A East Regional: Rosewood 'understudies' perfectly handle roles

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 6, 2014 1:48 PM

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FAYETTEVILLE -- Understudies, traditionally, never see center stage on Broadway unless the star becomes ill before the curtain opens.

Rosewood's tandem of Lexi Mercer and Alicia Burns readily admit they wouldn't share the spotlight if it wasn't for their teammates, a supporting cast that has deservedly earned a spot on the marquee.

Were it not for those six hard-nosed players who handle the work that doesn't always get scribbled in the box score, the Eagles wouldn't be 24-1 and in position to win an eastern regional basketball championship this week.

"I think we have enough bullets in the gun, enough people in our little group that I think we can do a little damage," RHS head coach Rick Grantham said. "Everybody understands their role."

Indeed.

Five-foot junior point guard Krystal Yelverton sacrifices her body on drives into the paint, and kicks the ball out to either Mercer or Burns. She averages 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 steals and four assists per game.

Desirae Baker and Hayley Mercer, says Grantham, are the "garbage collectors" and clean up what's left -- a loose ball, an offensive putback or defensive rebound. Baker ranks second on the team in total rebounds (179) behind Lexi Mercer and logs six points a game.

Hayley Mercer's numbers aren't flashy -- 2.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 steals. What opponents don't see in the statistics is her ability to deflect passes and her willingness to dive for loose balls no matter where she is on the floor.

"That's what Hayley brings to the table for us," Grantham said. "She also understands that these people (Lexi, Burns) need to touch the basketball the most. There is no selfishness.

"Desirae is a two-handed strong rebounder without height. It's a pleasure for me to sit and watch her rebound the basketball."

Callie Thornton, Nekia Williams and Hannah Daniels enter the game at different intervals. The trio combines to give the Eagles about five points, nine rebounds and nearly four steals an outing.

"They understand how to compete," Grantham said. "Nekia and Hannah, they didn't understand how much energy you have to give to play at this level when you come from middle school to high school, and there is no JV team for them to play on.

"They had to come straight to the 'Big Show' where there is no middle ground and they've had on-the-job training. I've seen their growth every day and it's been awesome."

Jessica Conger, Ashley Thornton and Melanie Smith complete the 11-player group that's advanced to the regional for the first time in 31 years.