The Mustangs close with a 10-2 run to defeat host River Ridge in the final of the Knights Holiday Tournament.
By STEVE LEE
Published December 31, 2003
NEW PORT RICHEY - If next month's Class 5A, District 5 games between River Ridge and Mitchell are anything like Tuesday's clash, it will be a series not to be missed.
Winners in the first round of the Knights Holiday girls tournament at River Ridge on Monday, the host Royal Knights and Mustangs squared off in the final.
Despite his team squandering a seven-point lead in the final three minutes of a 41-40 loss, River Ridge coach Al Sorrentino pointed out that the decisive basket came with two seconds left.
"It's a one-point game," Sorrentino said. "You could probably find (opportunistic) things on either side."
Neither team should have an advantage in rematches Jan.9 (at River Ridge) and Jan. 30 (at Mitchell), Sorrentino said.
Mitchell coach Stephanie Baldwin disagreed.
"That's a good feeling for us going into districts, knowing that we got them here," Baldwin said. "But we need to beat them when it counts."
River Ridge (3-5) had four-point leads at the half and through three quarters before building its largest cushion, 38-31 with less than three minutes left.
The Mustangs (7-4) clawed back and cut their deficit to one at 40-39 when Joanna Bussa followed up her missed layup by snaring the rebound and scoring on a putback.
Lauren Hille, named the tournament's most valuable player, was called for a double dribble with 13.6 seconds left and Turquoise Sampson found a hole in the River Ridge defense for an uncontested layup with two seconds left.
That helped Sampson atone for her struggles at the line. The sophomore guard made just 3-of-11 free throws.
"She made it when it counted," Baldwin said.
Neither team fared well at the line. Mitchell shot 32 percent and River Ridge 45.
Lauren and Ryane Hille scored 15 and 14, respectively, to lead River Ridge. Taylor Lunin led Mitchell with 13 points.
"They're tough," Baldwin said of the Hille sisters. "You leave them open, they're going to make their shots."
In the consolation game, Central defeated East Lake 38-24.
Jessica Osono, with 16 points, paced the Bears, who snapped a tie at 19 by outscoring the Eagles 19-5 in the fourth quarter.
Aside from Lauren Hille, the all-tournament team featured: Ryane Hille, Lunin, Kristi Hopper (Mitchell), Osono and Chelsea Bowan (East Lake).
