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The Rockbridge County High School girls basketball team started the season with a pair of nondistrict road losses, falling to Staunton 39-30 in the season opener on Monday of last week before suffering a 44-12 setback against Fort Defiance last Wednesday.
Against Staunton, the Wildcats faced a 10point deficit early in the game before they started to pick it up offensively. “I’m pleased with how we fought back,” said firstyear RC head coach Darrell Plogger.
The Wildcats took a tough hit early in the game when starting point guard Bella Dorey rolled her ankle and wasn’t able to return to the game. The Storm then hurt RC with its defensive press.
In the third quarter, the Wildcats applied their own defensive press, rallying to tie the game, but they didn’t shoot well, allowing the Storm to pull away away.
Abby Bouchard led RC with 10 points and had two rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block. Ruby Goodheart pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Wildcats and scored seven points. Parker Dameron added four points, three rebounds, two assists and a block. Also stepping up for RC were Desirae Butler with four points, five rebounds and three steals; and Dorey with three points, two boards and two steals before she was injured.
The Wildcats struggled to take care of the ball, committing 26 turnovers.
Leading Staunton with 12 points each were Jordan Bell and Samantha Swift.
FD 44, RC 12
Struggling against the up-tempo defense of Fort Defiance, the Wildcats suffered a 44-12 road loss last Wednesday.
The Indians held RC to 18.8 percent (6-of-32) shooting from the field, and RC was 0-of-9 from three-point range and 0-of-6 from the free throw line. The Wildcats were also hurt again by 26 turnovers.
Bouchard and Goodhart led the Wildcats with four points each, with Bouchard grabbing a team-high five rebounds and Goodhart pulling down four boards. Dameron chipped in two points and four rebounds, while Butler had two points. Brooklyn Beverly led RC’s defense with three steals.
Carleyanne Ryder led Fort with nine points, while Mia Alexander and Trinity Hedrick each added eight points, and Calleigh Wilkerson chipped in six.
The Wildcats were scheduled to start Valley District action with a home game last night against Broadway and will continue district play at East Rockingham on Friday before playing host to Staunton on Monday and district rival Harrisonburg on Tuesday. All nights will start with junior varsity action at 5:30 p.m.
Confident the Wildcats will have better results in upcoming games, Plogger said, “We’re working hard and getting better.”
