GAME 12 vs. Cy Ridge:

Our JV Lady Spartans ventured out and played in Cy Ridge. Riley O’Connor started out hot by sinking the first five points of the game, including a three-pointer. The contest devolved into a rugby match that masqueraded as a basketball game. Both teams were in the bonus three out of four quarters. Luckily, we were up to the task and matched our opponent’s physical play. Layla Lloyd, Rylah Barnes, and Jordyn Lundy all hit some buckets, either from the field or the charity stripe. The match was very close after the first quarter with a score of 11 to 10.

The Spartans’ kicked up their defensive intensity and began barraging Cy Ridge with easy transition points from Camille Warren. Not all of the points were results from the fast break. When they were not being fouled, the Spartans moved the ball around for some nice drives and kicks. Emerson Berg and Rylah Barnes both fought for position and received the pass for a nice finish. Our JV Lady Spartans began to separate themselves from Cy Ridge going into the half with a score of 24 to 16.

After breaking the spirit of Cy Ridge at the half, our Spartans really put the pedal to the medal and clamped down on defense. Camille Warren had seven steals and nine points in the second half. Rylah Barnes and Jordyn Lundy kept the opponent off the glass with four rebounds each. Our JV Lady Spartans left Cy Ridge with a victory of 46 to 32.

Some of the stats of interest were the following.

• Camille Warren scored 15 pts, 3 assists, and 10 steals.
• Rylah Barnes had 8 pts, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, an assist, and a block.
• Riley O’Connor had 10 pts, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and a steal.
• Layla Lloyd had 8 pts, 2 rebounds, and an assist.
• Jordyn Lundy had 2 Ppts, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals.
• Emerson Berg had 2 pts and 2 rebounds.

GAME 13 vs. Memorial:

Our JV Lady Spartans hosted the Memorial Mustangs. The first quarter saw quality basketball from both sides. Jordyn Lundy and Camille Warren each had four points. Katherine Cronin, Caroline White, and Riley O’Connor fought the Mustangs with tight defense and generated steals. After trading blows for the quarter, we were slightly behind with a score of 10 to 14.

After the first quarter, our JV Lady Spartans continued to fight relentlessly, but the Mustangs simply controlled the rebounds on both ends of the court. Unfortunately, this led to second-chance opportunities and easy put-backs. The rim was unkind in the second half, and we were on the end of some bad luck. Nothing fell in regardless of the shot. It did not matter if it was a layup or three-pointer, very little touched the bottom of the net.

Our JV Lady Spartans never gave up, never conceded, and fought to the end whistle. But, we ultimately lost 25 to 50.

Some of the stats of interest were the following.

• Camille Warren scored 9 pts and had 2 assists, 3 steals, and a block.
• Riley O’Connor had 6 pts, 6 steals, an assist, and a block.
• Katherine Cronin had 3 pts, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.
• Rylah Barnes had 3 rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
• Jordyn Lundy had 4 pts and 2 rebounds.

GAME 14 vs. Jersey Village:

Our JV Lady Spartans travelled to Jersey Village. The first quarter was the Emerson Berg show. She was a perfect 3 for 3 on field goal attempts. In addition to the six points, she also fought hard for three rebounds. Both teams had difficulty dribbling, passing, catching, and shooting as the ball was over inflated and bouncing all over the place. This led to a very sloppy quarter with turnovers and steals by both sides. We were down by one point after the first quarter.

The JV Lady Spartans tuned up the aggression in the second quarter. Their man-to-man defense forced their opponent into terrible shots, and they only surrendered two points to end the half. Kendall Parker and Riley O’Connor cleaned up the glass with two rebounds each. Some quick passing led to six unanswered points and a lead of 12 to 9 going into the half.

The high intensity defensive pace of play continued into the third quarter. Emerson Berg and Rylah Barnes collected three rebounds each. There was a beautiful passing sequence that highlighted the quarter. Caroline White started at the top of the arc and drew two defenders, when she quickly passed the ball to Katherine Cronin on the wing. After looking toward the hoop, Catherine found an open Rylah Barnes at the elbow. Without hesitation, Rylah squared up to the basket and sank the shot. The Spartans held serve with a two-point lead going into the all-important final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle. Riley O’Connor was a ball hawk with five steals. Points were difficult to come by for our Spartans. Luck was not on our side as we had numerous open looks, but nothing fell in the final two minutes. We fell just short 28 to 31.

Some of the stats of interest were the following.

• Emerson Berg scored 8 pts and had 6 rebounds.
• Rylah Barnes had 6 pts, 4 rebounds, and an assist.
• Riley O’Connor scored 8 pts, 7 steals, 2 assists, and a block.
• Camille Warren had 4 pts, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and a block.
• Catherine Kronin had 2 pts, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, a block, and an assist.
• Caroline White had 2 steals, a rebound, and an assist.
• Layla Lloyd had 3 pts, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.