The Ridgefield girls cruised to victory over La Center on Monday, Dec. 19 as the team secured a 60-27 non-league win.
La Center started the first quarter with an early run and dominant defense in the paint against the Spudders.
La Center freshman Adyson Maddock blocked multiple shots during her time on the floor and finished the game with five points. The team finished the first quarter holding a 12-10 lead, but the rest of the game was all about the girls of Ridgefield.
Playing dominant defense by intercepting passes and out rebounding the Wildcats, Ridgefield abolished quality scoring chances for La Center from the second quarter to the final buzzer.
The Spudders passed the ball with confidence, instead of forcing shot attempts and secured high percentage shots. Ridgefield also handled the ball well, which led to fewer turnovers and the ability to drive the lane forcing contact and getting to the line for free throws.
The Spudders held the Wildcats to a four-point second quarter and gained a lead of 29-16 at the half.
Ridgefield’s scoring was led by Elizabeth Swift’s 10 points, Janessa Chatman’s 10 points, Morgan Goode’s nine points, Megan Weber’s eight points and Avery Wilson’s eight points.
La Center’s scoring was led by Jessie Tomberlin’s six points and Shaela Bradley’s six points.
With two players in double digit scoring for Ridgefield, head coach Lauren Hefflin gave kudos to one of her players who had a major impact on defense.
“I think Nora Martin is just a solid defender and really took the assignment on number 13 and did a good job on keeping her from going to her right as hard as it was,” Hefflin said.
Martin held La Center’s number 13, Bradley, to just six points during the game.
Hefflin said the long break ahead is a great chance to develop her team for the second half of their schedule.
“We have a big break here, but it’s going to be a really good chance for us to put in some new stuff and really work out some stuff,” Heflin said. “We’ve had a relentless game schedule for the last four weeks so I’m excited for us to get some time to bond, rebuild some ideas that we have, and hit that second half of league play in stride.”
Prior to the break, Ridgefield sat at a steady 5-3 on the year with the next game scheduled for Jan. 4 at home against Hudson’s Bay.
La Center has a young varsity team with only one senior. They had two more games scheduled for last week before their break began. After Monday night’s loss they had a record of 0-7.