The Rockbridge County High School boys basketball team suffered a 75-22 road loss to sharpshooting Shenandoah District rival Fort Defiance on Tuesday of last week.
It was the seventh consecutive loss for the Wildcats, who had their lowest scoring total of the season and fell to 3-10 overall and 1-6 in the district. The Indians (7-5 overall, 5-2 district) would see a four-game winning streak snapped last week with a 60-49 road loss to district rival Alleghany (10-2, 6-1). Against RC, Fort raced to a 27-9 lead after the first quarter and outscored the Wildcats 17-2 in the second quarter to take a 44-11 lead into halftime. The Indians outscored RC 23-5 in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.
Gio Armendariz Cruz led Fort and outscored the Wildcats, pouring in 25 points, including five 3-pointers. Also stepping up for the Indians was Tripp Hanger with 14 points, sinking four treys, and Carter Bird with 13 points. Jasigh Ransome chipped in nine points for the Indians.
Bradi Ziegler led RC with seven points, while Brenden Staley scored six, and Fisher Newhall chipped in four.
The Wildcats were scheduled to play host to Alleghany last night and will continue district action at home against Staunton on Thursday, starting with the junior varsity game at 6 p.m., with the varsity game scheduled to follow at 7:30. On Friday, the Wildcats will open the two-day Rock the Ribbon Roundball Shootout when they play host to Roanoke Catholic during the school day at 1 p.m. The Wildcats will return to district play on Monday at Waynesboro, starting with JV action at 6 p.m.
