Central Oregonian

Late charge propels Cowgirls past Ravens

Crook County outscores Ridgeview in fourth quarter to take three-point win

Lon Austin

January 17, 2013

In a game that was close throughout, the Crook County Cowgirls did just enough to win, as they knocked off the Ridgeview Ravens, 52-49, in the opening round of Special District I girls basketball action.

“We kept our composure and kept fighting and we were able to do some things down the stretch to put it away,” said Crook County head coach Dave Johnson.

The largest lead either team had in the contest was four points, as neither team was able to take control of the game.

The two teams exchanged baskets in the first quarter, playing to an 8-8 tie. Ridgeview gained the advantage late in the second quarter and took a slim three-point lead into the locker room at the half.

The Cowgirls stepped up their defensive pressure in the third period. However, going into the fourth quarter, the Ravens still clung to a 36-34 lead.

Crook County continued to put pressure on Ridgeview in the fourth quarter and were finally able to convert Ridgeview turnovers into points as the Cowgirls scored 18 points in the period to pull out the win.

“Defensive pressure was the key,” Johnson said. “There were times when we gave up some easy baskets, but there were times when our pressure gave them a lot of trouble.”

The Cowgirls came away from the contest with 24 steals, including six each by Jessie Maley-Loper, Kimmer Severance, and Jena Ovens.

“We had 24 steals,” Johnson said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to convert as many as we’d like into points.”

Maley-Loper led the Cowgirls in scoring with 17, while Severance added 11 points and 12 rebounds. Ovens chipped in with nine points while Kelsie Smith finished with seven points and nine rebounds.

Still, the game went down to the final seconds. With the score tied and less than 10 seconds remaining, Michaeline Malott put up a shot and was fouled. The shot went in and Malott calmly knocked down the free throw to give Crook County a three-point advantage with 6.7 seconds remaining.

Ridgeview got a clear look at the basket at the buzzer. However, the desperation three-point attempt bounced off the back of the rim, sealing the Cowgirl victory.

“We were able to knock down our free throws at the end,” Johnson said. “It was a big win for us. You really want to get the win against your Special District team and we were able to do that.”

After starting the season with a 1-5 record, the Cowgirls have turned things around. With Tuesday’s win, the team evened their season record at 6-6. In addition, they are in the driver’s seat in Special District I with a 1-0 record and two games left to play.

Meanwhile Ridgeview, who has now lost 10 games in a row, falls to 0-1 in the district and 1-13 overall.

The Cowgirls return home on Friday when they take on the 8-5 Summit Storm. The team is back on the road on Tuesday when they take on the 9-3 Mountain View Cougars, who defeated Crook County 60-39 earlier this year.

Tuesday, Jan. 15

at Ridgeview

Crook County (52) — Jessie Maley-Loper 17, Severance 11, Ovens 9, Smith 7, Malott 5, Lindburg 3, Apperson, Estes, Wood. Totals 18 15-24 52.

Ridgeview (49) — Bailey Simmons 14, Ross 10, Durre 9, Hidalgo 7, Wilcox 6, Kenny 2, D. Wilder 1, C. Simmons, H. Wilder. Totals 16 14-19 49.

Crook County 8 16 10 18 — 52

Ridgeview 8 19 9 13 — 49

Three-point goals — Crook County: Maley-Loper; Ridgeview: B. Simmons, Durre, Hidalgo.