Led by strong defense, the Rockbridge County High School girls basketball team fended off a comeback to earn a 42-39 home win over Shenandoah District rival Staunton on Thursday night in Lexington.
The Wildcats (2-3 overall, 2-1 district) overcame a slow start to the game to take a 24-22 halftime lead. Staunton (2-2, 1-1) raced to a 9-0 lead before the Wildcats put on pressure to force turnovers and made baskets. The Storm led 12-9 after the first quarter, but RC went on a 7-0 run to go up 18-15.
From the end of the first half to the final minute of the third quarter, the Wildcats went on a 16-0 run, and they outscored Staunton 15-5 in the third quarter to extend their lead to 39-27.
The Storm battled back in the fourth quarter, scoring off RC turnovers to cut the Wildcats’ lead to three, but the Wildcats stopped Staunton from getting any closer.
Lola Mulitalo led the Wildcats with 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Madison Mangione scored eight points and pulled down 10 boards. Also contributing for RC were Dez Butler with eight points and Natalie Samante with six.
Trioux Williams paced the Storm with 10 points, while Kerein Scott scored nine points, and Ny’Myah Rodridgez added seven.
RC overcame 27 turnovers to get the win.
The Wildcats will conclude the week with a district game at Buffalo Gap on Friday at 6 p.m.
For the full story and photos from this week’s action, please see our Dec. 24 newspaper.
