By Robert Wilson
Madison-Ridgeland Academy girls basketball coach Stephen Force says Anna Morgan Anderson is back to playing like she did this past summer.
And that’s not good news for the rest of MRA opponents.
The 5-foot-9 sophomore guard scored a career-high 36 points in 22 minutes to lead MRA to a 73-46 victory over Memphis East High Saturday at the Dragon Fire Classic in Collierville, Tenn.
For her outstanding performance, Anderson has been named the Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Metro Jackson Girls Basketball Player of the Week.
Anderson scored eight points in the first quarter, 13 in the second quarter, and 15 points in third quarter before leaving with game with 1 minute to play in the third quarter and did not return. She made 11 of 21 shots from the field, 3 of 6 from 3-point range, and 11 of 11 from the free throw line. Anderson had two assists and one blocked shot.
Anderson’s 36-point performance ties for the third most points in school history. The school record is 44 points by Stacy (Gary) Frederick in a triple overtime loss to Delta Academy in the 2001 MAIS Overall Tournament semifinals. Gary made a school record 10 3-pointers in 11 attempts. Rivers Futral scored 40 points against Pillow in a triple overtime win at the Canton Academy Invitational in October of 2019. Moe (Bell) Reed had 36 points (tying Frederick’s school record 10 3-pointers) in three quarters against Mt. Salus in the 2006-2007 season.
In addition to her 36-point game, Anderson scored 25 points to lead MRA to a 60-54 victory over Briarcrest, Tenn., Christian Friday in the first game of the tournament.
She scored 27 points against Rossville Christian in the Bayou Academy Invitational on Dec. 20, 25 points and 36 points in her last four games in an eight-day span.
Anderson – a member of the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Preseason Metro Jackson Basketball Team – is averaging 21.3 points in the past six games.
She scored 19 points Monday in a 45-25 win over Memphis Central in the last game of the tournament to reach the 1,000-point of her career. If Anderson continues her pace, she could have a shot of breaking the school career record of 2,200 points, set by Futral, who graduated in 2020.
Anderson is averaging 14.5 points, 3 steals, 2.5 rebounds and 2 assists this season for 16-5 MRA.
“This is really the way Anna Morgan played all summer long,” MRA coach Stephen Force said. “Her teammates get a great job of getting her the ball in position to score. Anna Morgan knocked down a few layups and free throws early and just started making shots. Our team chemistry is starting to get a little bit in line with where we were this summer and I think that’s allowing not only her but the rest of the girls to get in a little bit of a rhythm. Anna Morgan is shooting a little over 80 percent from the free throw line and I’ve had only two other girls – Moe Bell Reed and Cam Humphries – who have done that in my 29 seasons as a coach. She has made her last 15 free throw attempts (11 Saturday and four Monday) and 28 of her last 31.”
Anderson averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2 assists and helped Madison-Ridgeland Academy to a 36-4 record, and a MAIS Class 6A runner-up finish and an Overall Tournament runner-up finish and was a second team selection on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a freshman.
“If you want somebody to go to war with, Anna Morgan is your girl,” Force said. “Maybe most competitive person I’ve ever coached. One of the hardest workers I’ve ever had. She is an incredible practice player, bringing it every day. Anna Morgan has a very high motor on the floor and never slows down, which makes her dangerous on both ends of the floor. She has really worked hard this off season in the weight room. Anna Morgan led the team in steals in both her first two varsity seasons as an eighth and ninth grader. She cares only about winning when she steps on the floor. Anna Morgan is a stud.
“She was the first eight-grader I have ever had start for me. Anna Morgan was a role player on our team two years ago with three seniors, but she was a fantastic defender who could handle the ball. Anna Morgan wasn’t afraid of the big stage. She was 13 years old and playing against girls a lot older in the Overall finals. Anna Morgan handled it well.”
Anderson has an offer from Delta State.
Anderson is a multi-sport athlete at MRA. She was an all-state cross country runner for the third consecutive year and helped MRA to its eighth consecutive state title this fall. She finished third in the MAIS Class 6A state tournament at No. 2 singles in tennis last spring.
Anderson is the daughter of Kaylan and Jo Anderson. Kaylan graduated from Parkway High in Boosier City, La., and played basketball there. Jo graduated from Canton Academy and played basketball and ran track. Kaylan graduated from LSU. Jo graduated from Mississippi State.
Anderson has two older siblings, Hayden and Will, both graduates of Canton Academy. Hayden was a cheerleader, played basketball and softball and ran cross country and track. She was a MAIS All-Star in softball and was named the MVP of the 2015 All-Star Game. Hayden graduated from MSU. Will played football, basketball at baseball at Canton Academy. He was a member of Canton Academy’s 2016 state championship football team. He was a MAIS All-Star in football and played basketball in the Overall Tournament his senior year. Will played football at Southwest Mississippi Community College. He is a senior at Ole Miss.
MRA plays at Bayou Academy Saturday at Cleveland.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a girls basketball player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
WEEK ONE: Shamira Morton, Canton
WEEK TWO: Alya Benson, Germantown
WEEK THREE: Karley Robinson, Madison Central
