Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Best of Both Worlds
RHAME BENEFITS FROM PARENTAL DIVERSITY AND INFLUENCE
FAYETTEVILLE — Tiffany Rhame started three seasons for the Farmington Lady Cardinal girls basketball team, now the point guard is taking her talents to the next level.
Rhame, a 2013 graduate, signed a national letter of intent to play women’s college basketball for Crowder College, of Neosho, Mo., on May 30. Rhame was a two-time All-Conference selection averaging 8 points, 5.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 3.2 steals per-game as a senior. As a junior, she ran the floor show in Farmington’s post-season foray that saw the Lady Cardinals place as District, Regional and State runner-up.
In her 94 consecutive starts at point guard, she led Farm- ington to over 60 wins. Farmington coach Brad Johnson said Rhame was a steady performer with a great work ethic and the ability to control a game from the point guard position.
Tina Robbins, Crowder women’s basketball coach, likes Rhame’s work ethic and said she handles the ball well, has a nice shot and is a good distributor of the basketball.
Rhame graduated from Farmington on May 16 with a 4.0 GPA and is considering either a major in Health Sciences or Elementary Education. Rhame will join three of her classmates on athletic scholarships at Crowder: Spencer Boudrey, baseball; Levi Strope, baseball; and Payton Wiedner, softball. Madison Barnes, a 2012 Farmington graduate, is also attending Crowder on a softball scholarship.
Rhame likes the proximity to home which will allow her family to attend some of her games.
“It’s definitely a big moment. She’s worked hard to get here,” said Marlin Rhame, Tiffany’s father. “I am quite proud of her, especially with her academic performance. She’s been able to do basketball and volleyball and get a 4.0 GPA.”
“He’s big on academics. Mom’s big on sports,” Tiffany Rhame said explaining she feels like she has benefitted from the interest and influence of each parent during her high school career.
Nanette Rhame, Tiffany’s mother, and younger brother Van helped her work on her shooting touch.
“My mom and my little brother are my two biggest fans. She’d always come and rebound for me with my little brother. They’d come in the gym every day after school.”
“She would go back after practice was over and practice some more when everyone else was done. She’s really been driven to do that,” Marlin Rhame said.
As she looks back and reflects on her accomplishments, Tiffany wants to thank her parents, little brother, Coach Johnson, Debbie Blackburn (mother of teammates, Lauren and Lindsey Blackburn), and all of her teammates.
Johnson touted Rhame’s ability to generate an impact on the game at either end of the floor.
“There were games she scored over 20 points and games where she had 10 or 11 assists and could completely control the game without ever scoring.”
Rhame made a lasting impression on her coach. Johnson didn’t want to single out any one game from memo- ries of plays Rhame made as a Lady Cardinal.
“I have a collection of them. It’s real hard to sum up her career in one play.”