When Kala Brown transferred to Ridgeland High from Hilton Head this season, she came with the reputation as a scorer. Brown is a long-range shooter who can get hot at any moment.
Sometimes shooters can make enemies of teammates because of the tendency to take too many shots.
But Jaguars coach Frederick Toomer said all the team had to do was watch Brown practice. There were no complaints.
"She was able to blend so well because of her work ethic," Toomer said. "At practice she works hard. You have to respect that whether you are somebody whose time she might be taking away from because of her playing time or somebody's at a different position that's not challenged by her, you have to respect how hard she works."
The team took its cue from Brown and produced a successful season. The Jaguars (19-7) tied for the Region 5-AA regular-season title and won a playoff game for the first time since 2007.
Ridgeland's season ended last Friday night when it lost 79-58 at top-seeded Marion in the second round. April Jenkins scored 21 points for Ridgeland. Brown had 14 points.
That 52-46 first-round playoff win against visiting Burke was led by Brown, who scored 26 points and made five 3-pointers.
Ridgeland trailed 31-23 in the third before going on a 25-2 run. Brown made three 3-pointers in the quarter, including a 22-foot shot from the wing.
Brown's shooting ignited the team. With Burke in a 2-3 zone, she found the holes and scored 13 third-quarter points.
"With her knocking them down it helps and lets us set our press," Toomer said.
The press helped force 10 third-quarter turnovers.
Brown's work ethic helps her have performances like that game.
"She puts up those kinds of numbers and she defends pretty decently, you can't argue," Toomer said.
Brown said she didn't know what to expect when she transferred, but she wanted to be on a winning team. The transition was helped by her friendships with Jaguars Breanna Walker, Angelica Alston and Cassandra Heyward.
"I was comfortable," Brown said.
Toomer said the season went as he had hoped, especially after an early-season win against Silver Bluff, which proved the Jaguars were a region-title contender.
"Kala can give you 25 to 30 points at any moment, Brittany (Richardson) stepped up with double-digit rebounds every night, April (Jenkins) is aggressive every game...we're on pace," Toomer said after the win against Burke.
The playoff win is something Toomer hopes the team can build on.
"Now maybe it was like a milestone for us as far as not having won since we moved to the new school," he said. "Now it's a stepping stone to better things."