Producing its highest scoring total of the season, the Rockbridge County High School girls basketball team earned a 50-30 home win over local rival Parry McCluer on Monday afternoon in Lexington.
In front of spirited fans in a crowded gym, it was the third consecutive win for the Wildcats in the series. RC swept the series the last two years.
Fueled by two 3-pointers from Dez Butler, the Wildcats (3-5) raced to a 17-7 lead by the end of the first quarter, after jumping out to an 11-0 lead in the first three minutes. Butler led RC with 16 points, making all three of her 3-pointers in the first half. At halftime, the Wildcats led 30-16.
In the second half, the Fighting Blues (1-6) slowed down RC’s offense, but the Wildcats still outscored them 8-7 to take a 38-23 lead into the fourth quarter.
Led by scoring inside and rebounding by Lola Mulitalo, the Wildcats finished the game strong, stretching their lead to as many as 21 points in the final quarter.
Mulitalo scored 13 points and pulled down 16 rebounds, shooting 5-of-8 from the free throw line, while Bella Dorey added 12 points for RC and Natalie Samante chipped in seven.
Josie Martinez led the Blues with 13 points, while Kayleigh Ramsey scored eight points, going 6-of-8 from the free throw line. Emory Slagle chipped in six points for PM.
The Wildcats, who were struggling with more than 25 turnovers in recent games, did a much better job of taking care of the ball, committing just 14 turnovers. The Blues had 14 turnovers.
The Wildcats will start the new year with a nondistrict home game against Turner Ashby on Friday at 12:30 p.m. before visiting PM for a rematch on Saturday, with the tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m., following the 2:30 p.m. junior varsity boys’ game and preceding the 5:30 p.m. varsity boys’ game.
For the full stories and photos from this week’s action, please see our Jan. 7 newspaper.
