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Despite leading for most of the game, the Rockbridge County High School girls basketball team concluded its season with a 48-45 road loss to Alleghany in the first round of the Region 3C tournament in Covington.
The 10th-seeded Wildcats (11-13), making their first regional tournament appearance in six years, led 26-19 at halftime over sixth-seeded Alleghany (17-6) and were up 36-32 after third quarter, but the Cougars outscored RC 16-9 in the fourth quarter. With the win, Alleghany advances to the Region 3C quarterfinals on Monday night at second-seeded Western Albemarle (18-4).
Ruby Goodhart led RC with 12 points and nine rebounds while dishing out three assists. Emma Clark added nine points on three 3-pointers and led RC with four assists, while Abby Bouchard scored eight points and had a block and a steal. Lola Mulitalo scored seven points and pulled down eight boards for RC, while Dez Butler chipped in six points on a pair of triples.
Alleghany’s Bryce Leitch led all scorers with 29 points, sinking three 3-pointers, while Kelcey Nicely added 11 points for the Cougars, and Ja’Kara Heighter chipped in five.
The Wildcats shot 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from 3-point range and were perfect (6-of-6) from the free throw line, while the Cougars hit five triples and went to the foul line often, shooting 76 percent (19-of-26).
RC committed 17 turnovers, while Alleghany had eight.
The Wildcats, who had won just two games in each of the last two seasons, improved throughout the season under the direction of second-year head coach Darrell Plogger to finish with one of their best seasons in program history. In the challenging Valley District, RC went 5-9. The Wildcats switch to the Shenandoah District next year.
RC graduates just one senior, Clark, who has committed to continuing her academic and basketball career at Division III school Bridgewater next year.
For the full story on this game, with a season wrap-up, please see our Feb. 26 newspaper.
