Not only did the No. 2-ranked Lady Devils beat their fiercest rivals Friday night in front of a massive and fully-energized home crowd, but they did so in a manner that completely characterized their entire season.
Using their true-blue formula of balanced scoring and gritty defense, the Model girls earned a 56-42 win over No. 6-ranked Armuchee on the final night of the regular season to push their record to 24-0.
The victory enabled Model to complete the first unbeaten regular season in school history. The win also gave the Lady Devils the 7-AA South subregion title, and assured them of the No. 1 seed for next week’s region tournament.
And oh yeah, it was Senior Night, to boot.
All in all, it was indeed a highly-memorable night for the Lady Devils, who improved to 10-0 in the subregion by beating Armuchee (22-3, 9-1) for the second time this season and the 12th time in the past 13 meetings.
“Going undefeated wasn’t something we expected, and it definitely wasn’t something we worried about as the season went along,” said Model senior Shelby Farrer. “But now that it’s happened, it’s just the icing on the cake. I mean, we just look at it as a bonus.”
The contest was played before an overflowing crowd — estimated at 3,000-plus — inside the steamy M-Dome.
“The atmosphere just doesn’t get any better than this,” said Model head coach Sally Echols. “It was definitely awesome in here tonight.”
In a fitting twist, Farrer and fellow senior Alexa Evans had a perfect fourth quarter to cap the win. They combined to go 6-for-6 from the floor in the period and helped fuel a 12-3 run that allowed Model to break the game open and officially complete the perfect season.
“It’s a tremendous accomplishment for this team, especially when you consider the tradition of Model basketball,” said Echols. “More than anything, I think it shows the heart and character of these girls … and proves that hard work pays off.”
But Echols was quick to mention that the Lady Devils still have much bigger goals in mind.
“We cannot afford to put our focus on having an undefeated regular season,” she said. “Really, we’re starting over at this point. Next week (when the region tourney starts) is a whole new season.”
Junior Janaye Jasper scored a game-high 15 points and also helped Model gain a decisive advantage on the boards. Evans finished with 14 points, including going 3-for-3 from 3-point range in the second half, and Farrer finished with 13.
“It was an exciting night,” said Evans, “but we really tried to keep our emotions down. We knew we had to come into the game completely focused.”
For Armuchee, Sarah Barnett scored 12 points and was the lone Lady Indian in double figures. Anna Catanzano spent much of the night in foul trouble, and finished with nine points on 2-of-7 shooting.
Overall, the Lady Indians shot just 31 percent from the floor (16-of-51), including 5-of-21 from 3-point range.
Still, Armuchee trailed only 37-31 at the end of the third quarter before Model opened the fourth quarter with the big run to pull away for good.
“We didn’t shoot the ball very well, but to me, the difference in the game was definitely rebounding,” said Armuchee coach Tammy Norred. “Effort-wise, I was pleased. But we just did not rebound the ball the way we needed to.”
If you are not a fan of Model, then why are you writing me?
Let me rephrase: Why would a senior not get to at least START a game on what should have been a memorable night for her? Instead, now it's a scar! She could have subbed her the first dead ball! I just hope that none of the players suffer behind this.
I stand by everything I said! And, I don't have to be a parent or even related to SEE! I just don't understand the mindset.
coachb3124, I am entitled to my opinion, JUST LIKE YOU! And, that kind of thinking "why not take her to another school in Rome" is that same clicky, suttle, discriminatory attitude that is all over North Georgia. Last I heard, Model was a public school! What's your point?
Remember you commented first so you opened the door for all the comments that have been aimed at you. I would guess that you are probably this persons parent or at least related to her. You could just save your comments, go to school become a teacher, become a basketball coach and prove to the world that you can do it better than Sally. Just curious why she left Chattooga in the first place and if you knew she Kiara Smith wrong, you could have put her in a different school in Rome and avoided the same thing happening to her. The player that had a concusion was cleared by the Dr to play. I am not from Model, and I am not a fan of the blue devils, but I know the coaches there and they are fair to all of their players...As a former coach, you can't treat all of your players the same way but you can treat them fairly...which I know that Sally and all the coaches currently at MHS do.
Just because someone is not from your little "clicky' Model, they don't seem to rank up there with you people.
Macy Siniard is also one of her better players who has not gotten the recognition she deserves. It seems that once a player steps up to play their game, she takes that player out.
She doesn't realize that she is breeding envy within the team! How about the girl that had a concussion and Sally played her anyway! She doesn't know as much about coaching as she thinks she does!
And, I don't owe any of you anything! I can just appreciate a coach who is FAIR as well as a good coach!
Anyway, WHY WOULD SHE NOT START A SENIOR ON SENIOR NIGHT unless she's playing mind games with her???
A good coach plays the talent she has, not the TRADITONAL players. Her favortism is suttle, but favoritism it is.
I ain't jealous, but I have attended several games and I don't care what you say, Model has just had the talent to sustain several successful seasons. Let's see how that works for you next year!
Karma will take care of all the snottiness breeding in your little camp!
By the way, I hope Model goes all the way! And, I know they can because they have the PLAYERS who can do it! It ain't got nothin' to do with the overrated coaching staff!
See you at the games!
All seniors played last night and played well. Without contributions from the seniors, there would not have been a win last night or any other night this season. This was more a Senior Season than a Senior Night.
And with regards to Coach Sally Echols, let's see what her team's have done since she arrived: (1)Won the Region Tournament (first time for Model) and then went ahead and won it a couple more times for good measure, (2)Celebrated an Undefeated Season (first time for Model) when alot of people thought this would be .500 team.
So, atruegemini3, the only thing that can hurt this program in the long run are parents and fans like you.
Joy is one of her best defensive players and although she is a transfer, Sally is playing mind games with her just like she did with Kiara Smith!
It's going to hurt you in the long run, Sally! 'Cause while you think your coaching is what is the main success of the team, you're going to find out otherwise in the 'rounds!