Warriors lose close one to Clayton Ridge

By Willis Patenaude | Times-Register

The Central girls kicked off their basketball season Nov. 26 versus the Clayton Ridge Eagles. 

The Warriors had a solid start to the game, forcing turnovers on the strength of Blair Scherf, Katie Royer and Ella Frieden’s defensive efforts. This stifled the Eagle offense and led to several fast break opportunities for the Warriors, but they were unable to convert. Clayton Ridge closed the lanes to the basket, making Central settle for long distance shots.  

The Warriors had a 7-0 lead with about two minutes left in the first period, largely on the shooting of Maria Villarejo, and ended the quarter leading 7-2. 

The second period started off with a Central turnover, but the score held, as both teams exchanged turnovers and missed shots until 4:48 to go, when Clayton Ridge made it 7-4. Villarejo responded with a layup, extending the Warrior lead to 9-4 with under four minutes left in the period. 

Clayton Ridge scored again, picking apart the Warrior defense, and pulled closer following missed foul shots and a successful offensive rebound, hitting a layup to bring the score to 9-8 at 1:40 in the period. The Warriors gave up the lead with over a minute to go in the period, as Clayton Ridge adjusted on offense and took a 10-9 advantage. 

A pair of missed free throws by Brylee Erickson led to a successful Warriors offensive rebound and layup by Erickson, giving the Warriors the an 11-10 lead heading into halftime. 

Coming out of halftime, Clayton Ridge started to work more into the post and cleaned up its turnovers, limiting Central’s fast break chances. The Warriors committed a quick foul, sending the Eagles to the free throw line. Clayton Ridge missed both free throws, but took a 12-11 lead shortly after. 

Central responded with a three-pointer from Erickson, giving the Warriors a 14-12 lead with 6:40 to go in the third period. Continuing to work the post and breaking down the Warriors defense, Clayton Ridge tied the score at 14 on a layup. 

With about six minutes to go in the third, the Eagles took a 16-14 lead on a screen play that wiped out Villarejo, leading to a layup. The lead stayed 16-14, as both teams exchanged turnovers, until less than four minutes to go, when Oakley Armstrong hit a layup on a pass from Erickson to tie the score at 16. 

After another Warrior foul, the Eagles retook the lead, 17-16, where the score would remained to end the period.

The fourth started with a Clayton Ridge travel, but the Warriors were unable to respond, as Erickson and Villarejo missed three-point shots. The Eagles did not miss, taking a 21-16 lead on separate drives to the basket with around 4:50 left on the clock. The Warrior defense was no longer forcing turnovers at the same rate as the first period and was losing the rebound battle, allowing the Eagles second chance opportunities. 

Down 21-16 with 4:31 to go, Erickson went to the free throw line, but missed both. With the score still 21-16, Royer hit a big three with 3:21 to go, pulling the Warriors within two points, 21-19, and prompting a Clayton Ridge timeout. 

Out of the timeout, Villarejo was fouled and went to the line with an opportunity to tie the game. She hit both, but an ensuing turnover by Armstrong gave the lead back to the Eagles, 23-21, with 2:37 left. 

A minute later, Villarejo found herself back on the free throw line, again with the chance to tie the game, but missed both. A foul by Armstrong allowed the Eagles to extend the lead 24-21, leaving the Warriors 16 seconds on the clock. 

Central called a timeout before executing what would be the final play, a desperation three-pointer that rimmed out of the basket. Natalya Singleton got the rebound and scored a layup as time expired. The Warriors lost 24-23. 

Individual stats were not available at press time.

This week, the Warriors travel to North Fayette Valley on Dec. 3, and will play again on Dec. 6, against West Central.