Central Oregonian

Cowgirls knock off Ravens

Crook County outscores Ridgeview 20-5 in fourth quarter to take 44-34 win

LON AUSTIN/CENTRAL OREGONIAN

Maddie Lindburg handles the ball against defensive pressure during the Cowgirls win over the Ridgeview Ravens on Friday. Lindburg finished the game with six points and five assists.

Lon Austin

February 04, 2013

The Crook County Cowgirls have earned a play-in game.

The Cowgirls took advantage of an 0-17 fourth quarter by the Ridgeview Ravens to take a come-from-behind, 44-34, victory Friday night and wrap up the Special District I?championship.

“It’s a nice feeling to have that play-in game guaranteed at this point in the season,” said Crook County head coach Dave Johnson. “It means that now we can continue to get ourselves ready to go, so that when we are in a playoff-type environment, we are able to deal with the stress and pressure.”

Trailing, 29-24, going into the fourth quarter, the Cowgirls outscored the visiting Ravens 20-5 in the period to win going away. All five of Ridgeview’s points in the period were from the foul line as the Cowgirls were able to hold the Ravens without a field goal the final eight minutes of the contest.

Both teams shot the ball poorly throughout the contest. However, Ridgeview was able to use a first-half rebound advantage to take control of the game early. The Ravens led 8-5 at the end of the first quarter, and extended their lead to 20-13 at halftime.

“I’m proud of the girls,” Johnson said. “Obviously, we didn’t play very well and we didn’t always take care of the ball real well and we got down early. It would have been really easy for them to have gotten frustrated.”

The Cowgirls did a better job of screening out the taller Ravens in the second half, and gradually clawed their way back into the contest.

“The things we talked about at halftime — rebounding the ball, taking better care of the basketball, and just getting back into the ballgame — we were able to take care of,” Johnson said.

Crook County cut the Ridgeview lead to 29-24 by the end of the third period. Then came the pivotal fourth quarter.

Kelsie Smith opened the quarter with a three-point play to pull the Cowgirls to within a bucket. A pair of free throws tied the game. Then, Michaeline Malott hit a pair of baskets and the Cowgirls had the lead for good. Ridgeview didn’t score a point the first six minutes of the quarter, as Crook County extended their lead to 40-29.

After committing 17 turnovers the first three periods, the Cowgirls were able to take care of the ball down the stretch, turning the ball over just twice in the fourth quarter. The game’s last two minutes was a parade to the free throw line, and the Cowgirls made their free throws when it counted as they held on for the win.

Crook County finished the contest 20-29 from the free throw line, compared to just 14-26 for Ridgeview. Although neither team shot well from the floor, compared to the Ravens, the Cowgirls had a great shooting night. Crook County went 12-40 from the floor (30 percent), while Ridgeview was just 10-61 in the contest (16 percent).

Malott led all scorers in the game with 12 points, while Smith finished with nine points, and Kimmer Severance pitched in with eight points for the Cowgirls. Maddie Lindburg had five assists for the Cowgirls as well as six points, including four key free throws down the stretch. Ridgeview was led by McKenzie Hidalgo with 10 points.

The Cowgirls, who are still without starters Jessie Maley-Loper and Jena Ovens, have won two consecutive games and are now 9-8 on the year. Meanwhile, Ridgeview fell to 1-18.

Crook County, who is 22nd in the latest OSAA Class 4A power rankings, has a busy week ahead. The team plays at Summit tonight, then entertains Mountain View on Friday at 7 p.m. In addition, the Cowgirls travel to La Salle Prep on Saturday to make up a contest that was postponed earlier in the year. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 1

Crook County 44, Ridgeview 34

at Crook County

Ridgeview (34) — McKenzie Hidalgo 10, Ross 8, D. Wilder 6, Durre 4, Wilcox 4, H. Wilder 2. Totals 10 14-26 34.

Crook County (44) — Michaeline Malott 12, Smith 9, Severance 8, Lindburg 6, Benton 4, Woods 3, Estes 2, Apperson. Totals 12 20-29 44.

Ridgeview 7 13 9 5 — 34

Crook County 5 8 11 20 — 44

Three-point goals — none.