Lady Rams get revenge

Published 12:00 am Monday, February 5, 2007

AHOSKIE – It likely wasn’t the biggest upset of Doug Cobbs’ career.

More than likely that moment would date back to a North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association contest in the mid-90s.

But, in Tarheel Independent Conference play, it likely was one of the bigger ones the Ridgecroft School coach has directed.

Just under a month ago, the Lady Rams went to Hobgood Academy and surrendered 25 points to Morgan Clark, who is easily one of the best players in the league, as the Lady Raiders rolled to a 46-37 victory.

Friday night, the Rams got their revenge, holding Clark to six points as they upset Hobgood 38-29.

“I think this was a huge win for us, especially with not knowing whether Hayes Bryant would play until game time,” Cobbs said.

Bryant, who is suffering from a major foot injury, was due to return next week at the earliest, but decided to give it a go against the Raiders.

She was able to play solid defense and contributed 16 points to help her team pull the upset.

“I think having Hayes on the floor added a lot of quickness to our lineup,” Cobbs said.

Ridgecroft maintained a four-point lead through much of the contest, but senior Jo Revelle Murray celebrated Senior Night at the school by hitting three huge three-pointers, none bigger than the triple she hit to put the Rams up by 10 (32-22) early in the fourth quarter.

“Jo has started shooting the ball well,” Cobbs said. “I’m glad she has finally started taking her shots. They were big for us tonight.”

While it was Murray and Bryant handling most of the offense, senior Victoria Brown was controlling the boards, especially in the fourth quarter, where she had five defensive rebounds that stopped Hobgood scoring opportunities.

“I think her work ethic has improved so much and that’s why she had the success she did tonight,” Cobbs said.

With the game still very much in doubt, it was Bryant who sealed the victory when she toed the line and hit both ends of a 1-plus-1 with 1:07 to play.

The victory pushed Ridgecroft to 6-2 and gives them second place in the league. The Rams are 11-5 overall. They will host Terra Ceia Christian School on Tuesday. The Lady Knights are not only first in the TIC, but ranked third in the NCISAA.

Lady Rams (38): Hayes Bryant n 16, J. Murray n 9, L. Lilley n 6, A. Piland n 5, V. Brown n 2

Lady Raiders (29): Morgan Clark n 6, S. Smith n 5, C. Roberson n 5, A. McDowell n 4, J. Vanderford n 4, B. Stewart n 3, A. Turner – 2