Parker: Different methods, same result

MURFREESBORO -- Comparisons between the past and the present are never fair to all parties involved.

Conversations about the Shelbyville Central Golden Eaglettes are no different.

Missing today from the hardwood of yore are USA Today photo shoots, NBC television crews and a coach of legendary status.

Janay Armstrong blocks the shot of a Lady Roadrunner. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Even the formula for success has evolved.

But make no mistake about it, a win is a win. Sometimes you may even have to hit every stick on the ugly tree en route to a victory. Who cares, though. A win's a win, right?

"There have been a lot of great Eaglette teams before us," Central junior Anisha Buchanan said. "There's no comparison to any of the Eaglettes. We're a different team. We play with all heart and we just want it so bad.

"It's just like someone telling you that you can't do something. You're going to prove to everybody and yourself that you can do it."

In the 54-44 win over Memphis Ridgeway in the state quarterfinals on Thursday night, the Lady Roadrunners won the turnover battle 13-12 and claimed a victory on the boards 36-32.

One statistic press row doesn't keep up with is heart.

"We had more turnovers and we had less rebounds, but this team is a refuse to lose. They've got it right here," said first-year Eaglette coach Lynn Burkey, pointing passionately to his chest. "They win with heart every game.

"We started doing it down in Savannah. We played some ugly games, and we won them all. It matters not to me if they're pretty or won't even look at you ugly. I don't care. This is survive and advance. It's one game at a time.

"We're willing to get down and get it when the game gets close. We've proven we can come from behind. I kind of like that about this group."

Any general will tell you, if you're going to win a war, you can't do it with your back to the enemy.

Upon hearing about No. 4 ranked Ridgeway boasting a pair of Division I signees, athleticism at every position and 35 wins, the Eaglettes didn't turn tail and sprint from the challenge.

They pulled out the shovels and climbed into their fox holes.

"They dig in a little deeper when they know they're playing a great team," Burkey said.

It starts and ends on the defensive end.

Buchanan said that Burkey preaches about defense "over and over and over. That's our mentality. That's what we go by when we play. It's our defense. We're sitting down on people every game no matter who they are."

Nobody turns up the defensive intensity for the Blue and Gold quite like senior Andria Johnson.

Her efforts epitomize the face of the team. She's not flashy and doesn't score 30 points every contest. What she does do is carry a blue collar with her wherever she goes as she's clocked in on college-bound athletes all season long.

Same went for last night as she drew Florida signee LaKendra Phillips.

"Andria Johnson gets everybody's best player," Burkey said. "Andria Johnson dug down a little deeper because she knew LaKendra was a great player and did a great job on her. She's a warrior for us. She's proven herself as a senior."

When Ridgeway had to have a bucket after trimming the lead to two, they turned to Phillips. Johnson stepped up her game, forcing her opponent into a pair of turnovers in crunch time.

"A lot of credit should be given to Andria Johnson because she played great defense on (Phillps)," Buchanan said. "(Phillips) is going to Florida and is a great athlete, but she doesn't let that bother her. She goes out every night, every game we play and guards the other team's best player. She did a great job."

If you want to compare this group of ladies to anything, your best bet is simply looking at them as winners.

Danny Parker is sports editor of the Times-Gazette.