WEST UNION, W.Va. — Doddridge County started strong in Monday’s home matchup with Ritchie County.
The Bulldogs threw a new look and different wrinkle at the Rebels than what they had shown when the teams previously clashed this season, which combined with quality offensive execution, enabled the Bulldogs to lead 7-0 at one point and 21-13 after one quarter.
The Rebels improved defensively, but not offensively in the second quarter and faced a six-point halftime deficit.
In the second half, however, Ritchie was largely in control on both ends as it outscored the Bulldogs 32-19 over the final two quarters and delivered down the stretch from the free-throw line to win, 53-46.
“We came out more composed in the second half and did a getter job moving the ball around,” Rebels’ coach David McCullough said. “This is our fifth game in seven days and we were not moving as well we should have on defense early and they had us confused on offense. Eventually, we got some momentum and it was a great team win.”
Kamryn Satterfield hit two three-pointers in the first quarter and scored all seven of her points that frame, while Aleigh Cheeseman added five for DCHS.
“We started off really strong,” Bulldogs’ head coach Lisa Cheeseman said. “I didn’t think they were prepared for our defense and we did a very good job in the first quarter of holding them, plus we were scoring because we created some off that press.”
The Bulldogs (12-7) held a 25-15 lead during the second quarter before Ritchie (14-6) ran off six unanswered points, four of which freshman reserve Cassandra Hardbarger accounted for.
Doddridge led 27-21 at halftime, but would face its first deficit just past the midway point of the third quarter.
A three from Chelsie Jeffrey cut what had been a 31-25 Bulldog advantage in half and marked the start of a 7-0 spurt that was capped by Jordin Bailey’s layup, enabling the visitors to go in front for the first time at 32-31.
The Bulldogs immediately countered with a Cheeseman triple to go back in front and they were on top 38-37 after three frames.
But after Brooke DeHaven opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a bucket in the post, the Rebels outscored the Bulldogs 16-6 the rest of the way starting with Callie Smith’s layup.
Smith’s corner jumper put RCHS on top for good at 41-40, and starting with two free throws from Bush with 3:20 to play, the Rebels made 12-of-16 free throws down the stretch for the rest of their point production.
Rebels’ guard Elsa Law made 6-of-8 foul shots over the final 1:49 to help Ritchie maintain its separation.
“We have situational things to work and we have to understand we don’t want the ball coming into Elsa at all,” coach Cheeseman said. “That’s key. We didn’t follow through on that. We let her have it and she’s the person not to foul.”
Law and Jeffrey tied for game-high scoring honors with 13 apiece and Smith scored 10 for Ritchie, which had six players score at least five points.
“She can do so much stuff. She’s a stat-stuffer,” McCullough said of Law. “When you get a kid who can do all that she can, it helps the team be where they need to be and she’s very unselfish. She’s one of the top players in the state.”
Bush led the Rebels with seven rebounds.
Cheeseman scored 12 points to pace Doddridge, while Isabella Holtz led the team in rebounding with seven.
Ritchie finished 21 of 26 on free throws, while the Bulldogs were 7 for 16.
Doddridge scored 25 points over the final three quarters and no more than 11 in any frame.
“We did a better job coming over the top of screens,” McCullough said, “and we didn’t really back off.”