Monday night at Riverside, the Stone Bridge girls rallied from a 30-21 halftime deficit to defeat the Rams, 55-49.
It was an impressive second half by the Bulldogs, who were missing significant pieces of their roster due to recent season-ending injuries. Seniors Leah Harden and Madison Moon, along with junior Emily Hughes, led the rally in the third quarter as those three combined for 15 of the team’s 17 third quarter points. Moon had four points and three assists in the quarter, Harden five points, and Hughes two key three-pointers.
In addition, Stone Bridge did a much better job on defense after the break. In the first half the Bulldogs gave up six three-pointers, four to Rams sophomore Kaylie Avvisato. In the second half the Bulldogs only gave up one, a meaningless shot at the end of the game.
“We didn’t get lost on their screens down low,” said Bulldogs Coach Emily Thompson when asked what the difference was in the second half. “I feel like my girls hands [on defense] were just up a little more. On offense, we were being patient and attacking the rim and not settling.”
Thompson’s team was dialed in, no doubt about it. Harden led the team with 17 points, 12 of which came in the second half. She attacked the rim throughout the game, but was three-of-eight in the first half from the free throw line. In the second half she buried two three-pointers and was a perfect six-of-six from the line. Harden also contributed 10 rebounds and four assists.
Moon was also clutch. After two Harden free throws gave Stone Bridge its first lead since the first quarter at 45-44 with 4:34 left, Moon and the Stone Bridge defense stepped up its intensity. Two consecutive steals and buckets by Moon gave Stone Bridge a 49-44 lead late. Riverside could not recover.
“I expect them all to come and play,” said Thompson, when asked about her roster and the season-ending injuries to key senior Kat Cassidy and others. “My younger kids have been doing great this season and by playing more they’ve gotten a little more confidence, so that’s always great to see. Emily Hughes had a couple of big threes for us and so did Leah Harden, and it’s just great to see.”
Stone Bridge (10-9), which also got 13 points from senior Gianna Cunnningham, advances to face undefeated Woodgrove in the Potomac District Semis on Wednesday. Riverside (13-10) was led by Avvisato’s 21 points. The Rams have a promising young roster with only one senior, but on Monday night saw their 2021-2022 season come to an end.
–Chris Jollay
all stats are unofficial
| STONE BRIDGE | FG | FT | TP | REB | AST | |
| CUNNINGHAM | 4-14 | 4-4 | 13 | 5 | 0 | |
| DYER | 1-3 | 0-0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| HARDEN | 3-10 | 9-14 | 17 | 10 | 4 | |
| HUGHES | 3-6 | 0-0 | 9 | 4 | 1 | |
| M.MOON | 6-10 | 0-2 | 12 | 5 | 4 | |
| Rubino | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Skorupski | 0-3 | 1-2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | |
| TOTALS | 17-48 | 14-22 | 55 | 32 | 9 | |
| Threes: Hughes 3-6, Harden 2-3, Dyer 1-3, Cunningham 1-3, Skorupski 0-2 | ||||||
| RIVERSIDE | FG | FT | TP | REB | AST | |
| ALMONTE | 1-3 | 0-0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | |
| MAHAFFEY | 3-7 | 0-0 | 8 | 3 | 2 | |
| AVVISATO | 8-18 | 1-1 | 21 | 3 | 0 | |
| WEEREN | 2-9 | 1-2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | |
| JOO | 2-3 | 0-0 | 4 | 6 | 3 | |
| Dekelbab | 0-4 | 4-6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| Blubaugh | 2-2 | 0-0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | |
| Barnes | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Koutsourais | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| TOTALS | 18-46 | 6-9 | 49 | 22 | 11 | |
| Threes: Avvisato 4-10, Mahaffey 2-4, Blubaugh 1-1, Almonte 0-2, Weeren 0-4, | ||||||