Keionna Ray (30) puts up a shot at Ridge View. (Photo/Kristy Kimball Massey)
COLUMBIA (Nov. 30, 2016) – Ridge View kept a fair distance ahead of Blythewood in a 58-49 victory over the Lady Bengals Tuesday night, but head coach Steve Inabinet said the Bengals’ effort was notable.
“Tonight was kind of rough,” Inabinet said. “The kids are juniors and inexperienced, so we’re trying to build, and get better and better. This was by far our best game of the season.”
Erica Tisdale’s 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Ridge View (2-2) a 15-9 lead going into the second quarter, but Blythewood (0-3) looked to keep the Blazers close.
Keayra Jackson’s steal and basket cut Ridge View’s lead to 23-22, with about three minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Unfortunately for the Bengals, the Blazers unleashed a full-court press and scored 12-straight points go into halftime with a 34-22 advantage.
Blythewood cut that lead to 39-32 by the end of the third quarter, when Keionna Ray closed out the period with a basket and hitting the back end of a pair of foul shots.
Ridge View and Blythewood battled shot for shot in the fourth quarter, but the Blazers proved a few points better in the end.
“I saw a lot of positive things,” Inabinet said. “But we’ve got a lot of stuff we need to work on, some basic stuff. We’ve got a lot of speed and a lot of talent, we’ve just got to pull it all together.”
Cameron Bostick led the Bengals with 15 points. Jackson had 13.
“She (Bostick) is leading us in scoring and rebounding,” Inabinet said. “Right now we’re depending on her doing a little bit more than she’s doing, and she’s capable of doing that. She’s just got to have a little more confidence, and she’ll be fine.”
Erica Tisdale led the Blazers with 15 points, and Jayla Bolden put up 12.
BHS: 9-13-10-16 – 49
RV: 15-19-5-19 – 58
BHS: Cameron Bostick 15, Keayra Jackson 13, Gallman 9, Ray 5, Mims 4, Shephard 2, Kesh. Jackson 1. RV: Erica Tisdale 15, Jayla Bolden 12, Scott 9, Beshear 8, Ajakina 4, Gainey 3, Whitmore 3, Harts 2, Kelly 2.
