St. Johns Fl- Ribault Head Coach and legend Dorian Stevens thinks that this year could be her best year of coaching barring that the Ribault Lady Trojans stay healthy. The previous two years Ribault would lose key players to season-ending injuries and this past summer, Ribault would lose two of their post players when their family relocated. All of these setbacks did not stop Ribault from beating the defending 8A State Semifinalist Bartram Trail Lady Bears 56-36 on Thursday night.
The game started out close, both teams netting points early. Ribault had the mentality of shoot the long ball versus Batram’s game plan of pounding the ball in the middle. The Lady Bears were able to get the ball in to their sophomore center Dyllan Hanna and take a small lead over the Lady Trojans. Stevens switched up her defense from a zone to a full court press and Ribault never looked back after that. The pressure was too much for the young guard of Bartram, throwing turnover after turnover. Bartram was able to able to get within two by the end of the first quarter after back to back three pointers by Bartram’s Sierra Calleson.
Ribault key players Jada Atkins and Leandria Moffett got in foul trouble early forcing Stevens to change up her lineup and do offensive-defensive switches every possession. Bartram was getting back on defense not allowing the fast break points they once were able to get forcing the Lady Trojans to play half court ball. The Trojans weren’t able to knock down many of their shots allowing for Bartram to get back into the game, only down seven at half.
Ribault would come out hot, netting three straight wide open layups. Ribault spread the floor looking for the open man, making smart passes. Bartram on the other end started to cool off in their shooting, going on a scoring drought until the four-minute mark of the third quarter. Ribault was able to run away with the game and never look back, not getting closer than nine points for the rest of the game. Bartram would spark a small comeback in the 4th quarter led by Calleson and Hanna.
Asia Fleming led the Lady Trojans with a quiet 14 points, followed behind by senior captain Kendra Williams with 8 points. Six of her points came off of three straight made baskets to start the 2nd half. Bartram was led by senior sharp shooter Calleson with 14 points and sophomore center Hanna with 11.
Ribault (3-0) defeated Lee 72-32, traveled to Orange Park (1-2) and defeated the Lady Raiders 60-39 in back to back games. Bartram Trail (0-2) will face off against Terry Parker (2-0) in a holiday tournament at Sandalwood.
Featured Image by : Maefred Grier-Haynes
