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Preps

One-girl show proves enough to oust Rams

CLASS 4A: Jessica Dickson has 41 points and 13 rebounds in Vanguard's 62-36 victory against Ridgewood.

By STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 26, 2003

NEW PORT RICHEY -- For the second straight season, Ridgewood's reward for a district title and subsequent first-round playoff victory was a semifinal game against Ocala Vanguard.

Tuesday's 62-36 loss to the Knights, ranked third in the Class 4A state poll, nearly matched last season's 65-34 semifinal loss at Vanguard.

Unlike that defeat, however, Tuesday's game was a showcase for Jessica Dickson. The USF signee didn't just take over, she dictated the outcome with 41 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots.

"She's all they said and more," Ridgewood coach Greg Bollinger said. "We just didn't have an answer for her. Nobody could guard her."

Vanguard coach Annette Powell sat Dickson with 1:39 left, long after the damage was done.

"The paint, the outside. It doesn't matter where she shoots from," Rams assistant Joe Kelly said. "Does No. 23 (Dickson) miss?"

As a matter of fact, not really. On Dickson's three missed shots, she got the rebound and put the ball back up for easy layins.

During Bollinger's postgame chat with his players, he reminded them of winning a fifth consecutive district title and matching last season's 25 victories.

"We had a great season; 25-4 is nothing to sneeze at," Bollinger said. "We got beat by 26, or whatever, but you can't dwell on this being the whole year."

Junior point guard Crystal Ayers led the Rams with 13 points, and Jamie Surmin had seven. But Ridgewood could not muster much else against the Knights' press.

Vanguard point guard Rasheeka Boone led that press. She had six steals, 13 assists and eight points.

Vanguard (30-2) led 17-11 after the first quarter with Dickson accounting for all but two points. She had 22 by halftime as the visitors took a 32-18 lead.

Ridgewood went 8:54 without a point. Ayers had the last and first baskets during that stretch, the latter an outside jumper from the left corner that left the Rams behind 46-20.

"We didn't make shots," Bollinger said. "And we turned it over."

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