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Ridgewood destroys Hudson

A 28-0 run lifts the Rams to a 49-17 victory over the Cobras in a Sunshine Athletic Conference matchup.

By JOHN C. COTEY

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 7, 2000

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Pasco was going to be the team to beat mighty Ridgewood this season, and if not the Pirates, then Hudson.

And if not Hudson?

Well, apparently no one.

The Rams completed an impressive run through what was to be their stiffest competition by thrashing the previously undefeated Cobras on Thursday 49-17 at Ridgewood's gymnasium.

Hudson scored six points in the final 1:35 to make the game even closer than it actually was.

The Rams (4-0) improved to 3-0 in the Sunshine Athletic Conference, all but wrapping up the league title. With their 70-18 win over Pasco last week, the Rams outscored the Pirates and Cobras 119-35.

"Pretty good defense, huh?" said coach Gary Zimmerman, whose team now has held Pasco County opposition to single-digit scoring in 11 of 12 quarters.

Ridgewood flustered Hudson (5-1) all night, holding it to a single shot in the first five minutes and 6-for-36 shooting on the night.

The Cobras never had more than two baskets in any quarter, and Ridgewood went on a 28-0 run that lasted 12 minutes.

"We've been more successful than that," Hudson coach Doreen Grote said. "We're probably averaging around 50 points. To get 17 in one game is devastating. I think Ridgewood's intensity on defense was intimidating to us."

Ridgewood wasn't exactly sterling on offense either, for a half anyway.

It led 17-8 at halftime on just 23 percent shooting but made 13-of-27 second-half shots to pull away.

Zimmerman moved leading scorer Alayna Sherwood from the post, where she had just four points in the first half, to the wing, where she hit three consecutive jump shots -- including a three-pointer -- and a putback in the third quarter to jump start the Rams.

"She's our best shooter from 15 feet on in, so I figured we might as well take advantage and put her out there," Zimmerman said.

"Then if they come out to guard her, she can get the ball inside to (Jen) Sessa. But they didn't come out."

Sherwood finished with a game-high 18 points, and Sessa chipped in with 14. The Rams made 10 of 11 free throws.

Hudson's leading scorer, Nicole Warder, was held under double-figures for the first time this season, scoring six to tie Jen Barrett for team-high honors.

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