by It was a game between two of the top two teams in the area, and a couple of KOS favorites! Defense was the name of the game as the St. Joes Jaguars held the high-flying Rocky River Lady Pirates to just 6 first half points as the Jaguars captured a 37-31 victory on the road.
The game began with an Elise Larsen three pointer, as she was a force in the first quarter with 7. Maddie Roth had a nice put back and remains a nice presence in the middle for the Jag’s as she increased the lead to 5-0 . The only Pirates points of the quarter came a long Natalie Swallow three pointer to cut the lead to 5-3.
After two fouls shots by Larsen made it 7-3, St. Joes used that vaunted Karen Swanson-Haan press to get a quick turnover off the trap in which Larsen converted in to two quick points to make it 9-3. A lid was on the Rocky River rim the entire first quarter as the relentless Jaguar defense held them to just 3 points. St. Joe’s led 14-3 after one, thanks in part to hot early shooting, and insanely good defense. Bree White sunk three from the foul line during that quarter as well.
The second quarter didn’t exactly provide many highlights or light up the scoreboard, as both teams went cold from the floor, only scoring a combined 5 points as we went to the halftime break 16-6. The only two Jaguar points coming from Larsen while the 3 points from River came courtesy of an Ava Patti foul shot and a nice layup by Natalie Swallow.
The third quarter was the Jaguars turn to make a run, and create space on the scoreboard as they outscored the Pirates 13 – 6 on the strength of a red hot quarter from Abbey Flannery with 8 monster points at all the right times. River would make a fourth quarter run, but couldn’t catch up as the Jaguars captured the 37-31 victory on the road.
The St. Joes Jaguars next play Tuesday December 27 at Hoban, as part of the Jingle Bell Jam. Rocky River has North Ridgeville next Tuesday as they host the annual Rocky River holiday tournament. Kee On Sports will be at that one to cover it as well.
Merry Christmas!
