Catawba Ridge girls’ basketball builds ‘experience,’ falls in first-ever playoff game
The Catawba Ridge girls’ basketball team had the Clinton Red Devils on the ropes early in the program’s first-ever playoff game on Monday night in Clinton.
However, the Copperheads’ offense stalled in the final four minutes of the game, which led to them losing, 30-23, in the opening round of the 3A state playoffs.
Catawba Ridge finished at 13-14, but accomplished a lot in its inaugural season — including fulfilling a team goal of making the playoffs.
“This is all about a growing experience,” said Copperheads’ head coach Kate Edwards. “One of our team goals was making it to the playoffs. I am so happy they could do it.”
The Copperheads took an early lead in the fourth quarter at 23-21, but Clinton was able to tie the game with 4:15 left in the period. From there, Catawba Ridge struggled to score, as they were outscored in the final period, 11-2. Clinton scored the final nine points of the game.
“We just couldn’t score,” Edwards said.
Both teams struggled offensively in the game, which was indicative of the score. Catawba Ridge stayed close with Clinton throughout the game and took the lead several times. The Copperheads hit just nine of 31 shots in the game, while Clinton was slightly better hitting 12 of 35 shots from the field in the game.
Only three players for Catawba Ridge — all of whom were freshmen — scored: Elly Zeanchock scored nine points to lead the Copperheads, and both Brielle Windisch and Tatum Postel, also freshmen, each added seven points as well.
Catawba Ridge started the game off playing patiently and didn’t rush their shots as they looked inside to Postel and took a slim 7-4 lead after the first quarter. Clinton came back in the second quarter and took the lead into the half, just edging the Copperheads.
Trailing by one point to open the second half, Catawba Ridge opened with a quicker pace and was able to get the ball inside more. Neither team was able to really pull away as both struggled with their shooting. However, the Copperheads were able to get to the foul line, where they converted their only foul shots of the game in the quarter.
Clinton went to the foul line more often, taking 16 shots, while Catawba Ridge had just five opportunities from the foul line the entire game. In the fourth quarter, Clinton hit just three shots from the field, but for the first time in the game took advantage of their foul shots and hit four of eight foul shots in the final period. Going into the fourth quarter, Clinton was 0-for-8 from the foul line.
Catawba Ridge was missing a key player in junior Victoria Jordan, who wasn’t cleared to play for the contest. She was still in a boot on her left foot, the same one she’s had on since she limped off the court in a regular season contest in January.
Because the team doesn’t have any seniors on it, Jordan and the rest of the Copperheads will have a lot of experience coming back next season.
“This experience will come into play next year and the following years,” Edwards said.
Mac Banks: mbanks@comporium.net, @MacBanksFM