Akeila Tripp and Tracie Glawson Experience College Hoops Success
Akeila Tripp and Tracie Glawson are having the time of their college basketball careers playing for the Fort Valley Lady Wildcats.
The former Lady Hurricanes and natives of Jasper County both attend Fort Valley State College on athletic scholarships. Tripp is a 2003 graduate of Jasper County High School whereas Glawson is a 2004 JCHS graduate.
Tripp plays point guard on the squad as a 5’7 sophomore while Glawson, a University of North Carolina transfer, occupied the center position as 6’1 freshman prior to an anterior crucial ligament (ACL) injury two weeks ago.
The Lady Wildcats are currently ranked #15 in the nation while going undefeated in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Division with a 24-1 overall record. The squad is currently ranked 3rd in the Southern Region.
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The Lady Wildcats earned a division win in grand fashion at home last Saturday when the Wildcats took on the Albany State Rams in the 2nd annual Peach State Roundball Classic. The local duo had a faithful following as many made the hour or so journey to attend the game.
The Lady Wildcats came away with a 69-68 victory in overtime, their closest margin of victory. The win tied the school record for most consecutive victories in a season (18) and the more than 4,400 fans that attended is said to be the largest crowd ever to watch a Lady Wildcat basketball game at FVSC.
At the opening of the first period the Lady Wildcats lead by as many as 8 before slipping to a 1-point lead at the half. The Lady Rams returned rejuvenated in the second period going on a shooting spree that gave them a 10-point lead with twelve minutes remaining.
The Lady Wildcats were not to be outdone in front of their home crowd for their first division loss so they stepped up their offense and scored 15 unanswered points to make it a competition again. At the close of regulation all were tied and overtime ended with the Lady Wildcats up by one.
Tripp (#3), daughter of Joe Tripp and Joann Tripp, scored 1 point in the victory while an injured Glawson (#44), daughter of Arthur and Victoria Glawson, watched from the sidelines.
Statistics, up until Saturday’s game, for Tripp include playing all 24 games with 1 start thus far with 261 minutes of playing time with an average of 10.9 minutes per game; 45 points with 1.9 points per game; 13-of-45 in field goal shooting with .289 percentage; and 19-of-38 in free throwing with .500 percentage,
Also, 37 total rebounds with 17 offensive and 20 defensive; 1.5 average rebounds per game; 19 personal fouls; 12 assists; 21 turnovers; 1 block; and 17 steals.
Glawson’s statistics include playing in 16 games with no starts for 183 minutes with an average of 11.4 minutes per game; 108 points with 6.8 points per game; 42-of-74 in field goal shooting with a .568 percentage; and 24-of-37 in free throwing with .649 percentage.
Also, 61 total rebounds with 26 offensive and 35 defensive with an average of 3.8 rebounds per game; 23 personal fouls; 6 assists; 15 turnovers; 6 blocks; and 8 steals.
Although Glawson did not play Saturday, she was honored as a member of the 2005 Lady Wildcat Invitational All-Tournament Team along with teammate point guard Natasha Ivey. Glawson was named Most Valuable Player during that holiday tournament.
Of the 16 games played this season Glawson has been the high point scorer in two of those competitions earning 12 points against Claflin University during the holiday tournament and 14 points against Central State University. She also led in rebounds against Miles College, grabbing 8.
While the athletes are tending to business on the court they’re also taking care of business in the classroom. According to their former high school coach and FVSC alumni Dionka Jackson, Tripp and Glawson are ahead of the traditional academic schedule.
It is noteworthy to add that the Monticello duo play alongside a former region competitor Shekiya Tarpkins of Social Circle High School. Tarpkins leds the team offensively with 365 points and 93 steals, for which she is currently ranked third nationwide.
The Lady Wildcats hosted Paine College in victory Tuesday and will host Benedict College today, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. They will travel to Clark Atlanta Saturday, Feb. 25 for a 6 p.m. competition before beginning the SIAC Tournament March 2 in Birmingham, Al.
The Lady Wildcats have been coached by Lonnie Bartley for 21 seasons. During his tenure as head coach, the team has won eight SIAC Tournament Championships; earned 12 invitations to the NCAA Tournament; and advanced to the “Sweet Sixteen” twice.
During the 1998-99 season, FVSC became the first school in SIAC history to host a NCAA Division II basketball regional and with this year’s success that honor may not be far off again.
Another important aspect of Bartley’s coaching is that almost every Lady Wildcat who has played four years at FVSC has left with diplomas in hand.