RIBAULT – Sure it may be uncharacteristically hot for late December in Florida, but the near 80 degree temperatures outside was nothing compared to the shooting inferno between the Raines Lady Vikings and the Ribault Lady Trojans Saturday night in the 2018 Basketball Northwest Classic.
Yet before their barn burner championship game, both teams had to win round one contests on Friday night to advance to the championship. Ribault made short work of Jackson winning 59-13, while Raines took care of business versus First Coast 60-46. Those wins set up a big championship showdown between neighborhood rivals Raines and Ribault Saturday Night.
Ribault’s Kendra Williams and Asia Fleming celebrating tonight’s big win over Raines at the 2018 Northwestern Classic @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/ry21ZVzORa
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) December 30, 2018
The game was close from the onset as both teams came out aggressive. Raines center Teyana Carswell led the charge for the Lady Vikings as she made her presence known down low. Her four points in the first period was matched only by Ribault’s Mesi Triplett who answered with five points of her own. The talented sophomore center gave her team an early 12-11 first period advantage.
Raines shoots a 3 Pointer to continue their 25-19 lead over Ribault . @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/Xo4msirnGv
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) December 30, 2018
In the second, Raines made a short run pulling ahead by six as Carswell continued her dominance scoring 7 points in the quarter. Jasmine Davis would also hit a big three pointer for the Lady Vikings as they took a 25-21 lead into halftime.
Ribault for the 2 against Raines. Raines leads @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/63sL1QqRtq
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) December 30, 2018
Ribault head coach Dorian Stevens made adjustments at halftime to focus her team’s attention on stopping Carswell. The strategy worked, as Carswell was limited to just eight points in the second half. The defensive shift didn’t affect the score right away as Raines took a 42-32 lead into the fourth period. Lady Vikings guard Nyla Allen stepped it up for her team, scoring 11 points in the second half keeping the Lady Trojans at bay.
Raines Nyla Allen just dropped this layup like the ball was hot 🔥🔥🔥. Raines leads Ribault with a close 50-46 with 3 minutes left in the 4th @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/9ypdx6f1FQ
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) December 30, 2018
Answering Allen for Ribault was junior forward Jada Atkins who got red hot from the field. Atkins hit a huge 3-pointer, scoring nine points in the fourth period to lead the Lady Trojan comeback. Ribault outscored Raines 21-11 in the period, as their defense put the clamps down. Ribault’s Peris Starks made her presence known on both sides of the ball, forcing turnovers and difficult shots by Raines. She also found pockets in the defense by driving the lane and scoring 6 points in the fourth. She and the lady Trojans erased a ten-point lead by Raines to force overtime.
Raines ties up with 9 seconds left @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/HofG403yFE
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) December 30, 2018
Time out. Raines vs Ribault . 1.9 seconds left tied 53-53 @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/GzyPRaylla
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) December 30, 2018
In overtime, both teams ran full court presses to pressure the back court ball handlers. Raines head coach Julius Paden decided to give Ribault a dose of their own medicine, as the legendary Ribault defense is known for their full court press. The result, just a four point overtime period as both teams defenses stepped up forcing a second overtime tied 55-55.
Double overtime!! Raines vs. Ribault @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/AoUiHgSdhU
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) December 30, 2018
In the second overtime, Ribault’s Isis Triplett would hit an enormous three pointer to give the Lady Trojans a 60-58 lead. Junior point guard Shayla Bouie would ice the game with crucial free throws, scoring four points in the extra period as Ribault defended their home court to defeat Raines 65-62.
Ribault’s Coach Stevens And Perris Starks talks about the win over Raines to be crowned the 2018 Northwest Classic Champions @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/IsbiU7WS3p
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) December 30, 2018
Raines falls to 14-2 on the season while Ribault improves to 9-4. It’s been a tough test for both teams as Raines couldn’t keep their momentum going after a big win at home against Miami Norland last week. Both Raines and Ribault fell to Potter’s House recently, however it would be the Lady Trojans that battled the tough stretch and came out victorious in the 2018 Northwest Classic.
Ribault takes home the title @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/2Q40MTj5ym
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) December 30, 2018
Ribault’s standouts Peris Starks (14 points) and Jada Aktins (14 points) would be named MVPs of the game and the tournament. Teammates Mesi Tripplet chipped in 10 points, Asia Fleming 9 points and Shayla Bouie 9 points.
Raines Teyana Carswell finished with a game high 23 points and Nyla Allen chipped in with 19 points for the Lady Vikings. Both teams look to build off their classic performances, heading into the second half of the season in 2019.
