The Three Rivers College Lady Raiders basketball team is a lot of things.
They have the ability to score in bunches, they’ve dominated multiple teams this season, they’re even the No. 10 team in the country in the latest NJCAA Top 25. But one thing Alex Wiggs and his squad will never be is satisfied.
After they completed their second drumming of Dyersburg State this season on Saturday at the Libla Family Sports Complex, the Lady Raiders doused Wiggs in water as they celebrated their 11th victory of the year.
When Wiggs was asked what accomplishment was achieved, what induced the early shower for him, Wiggs said they wanted to celebrate every moment because they never know when it could end.
“It’s about remembering our goals and why they chose to be a part of this program,” he said. “A lot of them could have went anywhere. They chose to come here because of our expectations and because of our promise to hold them accountable.”
Three Rivers is currently riding a three-game winning streak with one more game to go before the holiday break. The Lady Raiders have just two blemishes on their record this season with one coming against perennial power Wabash Valley during the first week of the season and the second on the back end of a back-to-back in Athens, Texas, when they fell in overtime to Trinity Valley.
Going into last weekend, Wiggs said it was vital to not overlook the Eagles, a team they also beat by double dig-its in the opener.
“You try to make sure they understand that every possession matters and every possession is important,” he said. “Our goal and our job is to get better no matter what the score is.”
If the Lady Raiders’ plan was to get better after halftime on Saturday they definitely did it by holding Dyersburg State without a field goal in the final 17:47 of the game as the Eagles had just three free throws in the final frame.
“It is continuing to play,” he said. “It is continuing to make those plays that give you a chance to be successful.”
Wiggs said those plays in a game go back to their practices because even he can admit their practices aren’t for the weak.
“Our practices are intense,” he said. “We don’t get on the line and run to just get in better shape. It’s for a purpose. It’s to hold us accountable.”
One aspect of his team that Wiggs enjoys most is that they’re player driven. He said he’s never had to ask for extra work or reps from his squad as it’s always been an unspoken bond around the locker room.
“That’s what championship teams are,” he said. “They are player led teams where they hold each other accountable.”
The Lady Raiders will hit the court at 2 p.m. on Saturday against Rend Lake of their final game of December. The game will be live streamed on the Raiders Athletics YouTube page.
Tyler Dixon - Daily American Republic