Lady Leopards fight

I wasn't expecting much from Norphlet Tuesday when they took on top-seeded Rison in the 7AA-East District Tournament. The Lady Leopards' 48-44 loss was actually a pleasant surprise. I watched the game alongside Strong coach Johnny Jackson. We both marveled with delight as Norphlet players we didn't even recognize, played their hearts out in the win-or-go-home game. Lindsey Martin, bless her heart, played defense as if her life depended on it. Several of her teammates followed suit, diving head first onto the hardwood for loose balls. That's the way a defending state champion is supposed to relinquish its title. The Lady Leopards lost but they were kicking and scratching until the final buzzer. It's the way most of the girls teams in Union County represent themselves on the basketball court. Give Parkers Chapel credit, too, for playing as hard as it could in its loss to Bearden Tuesday.