The day after hitting a game-winning layup against Providence Christian in late November, Ravenwood junior Reghan Grimes was back in the gym.
It was a Sunday afternoon, when most high school athletes were enjoying precious off time or catching up on homework.
But not Grimes.
She was training with Team Brandan Wright at Brentwood Academy, trying to hone her craft even after a 21-point, 11-rebound performance that Saturday.
“If we don’t have a team practice on Sunday, I’ll either go work out with my travel team or me and my dad will work out by ourselves just to make sure that I’m staying up on my skills,” Grimes said. “That can take you from average to good or good to great.”
Those extra hoop sessions appear to be making a difference.
The guard/forward has led Ravenwood to a 9-6 mark (5-3 District 11-AAA) this season, including back-to-back wins this week to halt a five-game losing streak that began the week of Christmas.
Grimes scored 30 points in a 60-28 win at Independence on Tuesday and followed with 19 more in a 60-44 victory at Franklin on Friday. She is averaging 19.5 points and nine rebounds per game as a force in the paint for Ravenwood.
“She’s one our hardest workers. She’s the loudest person on the floor. She plays great defense,” Ravenwood coach Andrew James said. “I think she actually leads us in taking charges. She’s way more than just scoring points for us.”
Grimes transferred to Ravenwood from Mt. Juliet along with her older brother, Reggie II, in May 2019 after their father, Reggie, was named to the school’s football coaching staff as a defensive coordinator. Reggie Grimes II is now a freshman defensive lineman at Oklahoma.
Reghan started for Mt. Juliet as a freshman and helped the Lady Golden Bears to the 2019 TSSAA Class AAA state tournament quarterfinals. Since moving to Ravenwood, Grimes has become a go-to offensive weapon for the Lady Raptors.
She hit 1,000 points for her career – still with a year of eligibility to spare – on a layup early in the third quarter against Franklin.
“I’ve been looking forward to this my whole career,” Grimes said. “I’m proud of myself and super thankful for my teammates for helping me get to that milestone.”
When she’s not busy playing basketball, Grimes suits up for the Ravenwood volleyball and track and field teams. She placed fifth in the state discus finals as a freshman at Mt. Juliet.
“Whenever I go up to Ravenwood just to do something, I feel like I always see her up there,” James said. “She’s lifting weights or having a practice. I’m sure she’s not satisfied because she wants to keep getting better.”
Ravenwood fell one win short of the Class AAA tournament two years ago when Grimes qualified with Mt. Juliet. After a 14-16 finish last season and an up-and-down start this year, Grimes is hoping to give the Lady Raptors a chance at a postseason run in the ever-competitive District 11-AAA.
“I think with knowing what it takes to get there, I can help the girls that haven’t been there,” Grimes said. “I think we have a good enough team to be able to go all the way, we just have to work for it and get out of the district.”
FRIDAY BOX SCORE
Ravenwood (60): Lexi Erickson 23, Reghan Grimes 19, Mary Prestegaard 7, Ava Lavigne 4, Rachel Hillman 3, Elizabeth Flynn 2, Natalie Prestegaard 2.
Franklin (44): Kate O’Neil 18, Brenna Swiger 11, Cate Bennett 5, Jean Costello 3, Amy Elliott 3, Lyla Gardner 2, Regina Hammond 2.
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