Ridge Girls Struggle To Overcome Early Deficit to Voorhees, Lose 48-33

The Red Devils came into Tuesday night's game looking to "focus on the small things" according to coach Cherie Stappenbeck.  Unfortunately, after winning the tip-off, the Devils lost control of the game in the first quarter due to a lack of focused, fundamental basketball. 

Though they improved as the game continued, the Red Devils were unable to recover from the early eighteen-point deficit.  Despite for good ball movement, their offense was characterized by numerous turnovers and missed shots, as well as insufficient player movement and offensive boards.  They did not stay consistently aggressive on defense, though when they did, they forced many turnovers from Voorhees.  In the end, it was the inconsistent focus on fundamental basketball that led to the final score of 48-33 Voorhees.

The Red Devils started the game with Kelly Scott, Sam Fama, Alexis Irwin, Susan Galgano, and Maria Langas.  After winning the tip-off, the Devils made a turnover, which Voorhees turned into points on the other end. This began a series of turnovers for both teams. 

The Red Devils were able to score three points early on, thanks to the foul shooting of Irwin and a field goal by Misaki Ishii.   The Devils continued throughout the quarter to demonstrate good passing, allowing them some field goal opportunities which unfortunately would not fall.  However due to the Vikings superior shooting, penetration, and rebounding, they pulled ahead 21-3, with a final fast break lay-up to end the quarter.

The second quarter was an improvement offensively with a three pointer by Gabby Demarco, and a couple two pointers by Galgano and Emily McGowan.  They kept up tougher defense this quarter, allowing about half the points that they let up in the first quarter.  The Red Devils stopped a possession by the Vikings to end the half, yet were unable to get a final shot off in time to cut the deficit.  Despite the stronger effort from the Red Devils, the Vikings improved their lead to 32-10.

Ridge came out aggressively to open up the third quarter, playing tough defense and pressuring the ball.  They continued to demonstrate good ball movement, yet their offense was still plagued by a lack of player movement.  Scott added to the Devils score with a long two midway through the third quarter.  Ishii built on that with a three pointer to bring their score to fifteen.  Toward the end of the third, Vicky Beneventine made a lay-up off of a fast break to bring the score at the end of the third to 42 -17 Vikings.

Ridge had a strong fourth quarter, outscoring their opponents by ten points.  By scoring a total of 16 points for the quarter, while allowing only six, the Red Devils demonstrated the caliber of basketball that they were capable of.  Unfortunately, their strong effort at the end was not enough to allow them to come back from their offensive and defensive difficulties in the first quarter.  Coach Stappenbeck summed up the game afterwards "They didn't show up to play, the team out there was not the team I've been with."

High scores for the game were Ishii with 7 points, and Scott and Beneventine with 4 points each.  The Red Devils face North Hunterdon on Friday Feb. 5.