Ripon Christian coach Connor Kennedy had no reason to be frustrated with his team after a 36-33 Trans Valley League loss to visiting Orestimba on Tuesday.
The Knights (4-7, 9-14 overall) played well enough defensively, took care of the ball and executed their offense against a feisty Orestimba team that has embraced the role of spoiler in the final weeks of the regular season. They created a lot of the shots they wanted, from inside and out, but did not get the kind bounces off the home rims.
“Definitely a tough loss for the team,” Kennedy said. “Tough loss for our seniors on senior night. Our girls gave it everything they had. We move the ball well, share the ball well and got good looks, but sometimes the shots just don’t drop. We believe in every single one of our players to hit shots.”
Rhian Heuvel kept Ripon Christian within reach in the fourth quarter when she hit a key 3-pointer and made five of six free throws. She finished with 14 points and four assists.
The Knights, however, never led, and any time they had a chance to jump ahead, Orestimba (4-7, 9-18) had a response and got it from different players.
Midway through the final period, Ripon Christian had possession while trailing by one, 27-26, when Orestimba’s Natalie Corella (nine points, six rebounds) came up with a steal in the paint. Moments later, she knocked down a 3 from the right wing to give the Warriors some breathing room.
It was Corella who earlier netted the first points of the game, as both teams struggled to get untracked at the outset. She hit two free throws with 4:22 left in the opening quarter.
Ashlynn Bell also came up with some clutch buckets for Orestimba, ending with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Salece Machado (seven rebounds) did not score all game until the last 36 seconds when she made 4-of-4 free throws to keep the Knights at bay.
“Every time we made a little run, they had an answer,” Kennedy said. “Credit to them; they hit some big free throws down the stretch. Orestimba’s a good team, good program led by a good coach. Give them credit; it was a hard-fought game.”
