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Tuesday, Jan. 30 – Continuing to struggle against the defensive press, the Rockbridge County High School girls basketball team suffered a 67-21 home loss to Valley District powerhouse Spotswood on Tuesday night in Lexington.
The game was only slightly closer than when Spotswood (15-5 overall, 9-1 district), a Class 3 state quarterfinalist last year, dealt the Wildcats (2-17, 1-8) a 70-16 road loss on Jan. 5 in Penn Laird.
In the rematch, the Trailblazers hit five of their six 3-pointers in the first quarter. Spotswood led 11-0 before RC freshman guard Des Butler, who was moved into the starting lineup, stole the ball and made a layup for the Wildcats’ first two points. The Blazers continued to shoot well from outside and took a 28-2 lead into the second quarter.
Emma Clark hit the Wildcats’ only 3-pointer in the second quarter, but Spotswood didn’t cool down much, taking a 48-10 lead into halftime.
The Wildcats played better defense in the third quarter, as each team scored just six points, but Spotswood, and freshman center Ruby Goodhart made a pair of inside baskets at the end of the quarter to cut the Blazers’ lead to 54-16.
With reserves playing in the fourth quarter and a running clock because the lead was 30 points or more, Spotswood maintained its large lead to end the game.
Alana Taylor led the Blazers with 18 points, sinking three 3-pointers, while Olivia Jackson-Sweezy added 10 points, making two triples. Alana Fisher chipped in nine points.
Goodhart led the Wildcats with eight points and 12 rebounds, while Brooklyn Beverly, moving into the starting lineup, added five points and a steal. Butler chipped in four points and two assists. Clark had three points, and Natalie Asunción-Samante scored one point, Parker Dameron grabbed four rebounds, and Abby Bouchard had a block and three rebounds.
RC committed 26 turnovers, while Spotswood had just six.
The Wildcats will continue district action at home tomorrow, Wednesday, when they play host to East Rockingham, starting with junior varsity action at 5:30 p.m.
For the full story and photos from this week’s action, please see our Feb. 7 newspaper. Coverage of last week’s action, including RC’s 60-55 road win over Harrisonburg last Tuesday and the 10th annual Rock the Ribbon Roundball Shootout last weekend, will be in this Wednesday’s newspaper.
