The Riverside-Brookfield girls basketball team celebrated Senior Night with a convincing 58-39 victory over Ridgewood last week. After a wonderful pregame team meal prepared courtesy of forward Meghan Orgler’s mother, the Bulldogs’ hunger carried over to the court by avenging a loss earlier this season to the Rebels.
Junior Hannah Claywell scored a career-high 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds while Orgler contributed 17 points and nine boards as nine Bulldogs scored overall. The 10 RB seniors honored before the game were: Orgler, Danielle Peco, Megan Frey, Brittany Janney, Alleigh VandeMerkt, Kiley Rusen, Megan Walsen, Elena Duve, Gina Sapienza and Caitlin Boxell.
“After the first [Ridgewood] game which we lost, I told our players to remember that feeling,” RB coach Dallas Till said. “We came out smoking this time and the girls really wanted to win. The bulk of our team is comprised of seniors so the gym was decked out with decorations and the players got [Senior Night] shirts. It was a special game for our players.”
Orgler echoed her coach’s thoughts about the significance of the memorable night.
“Obviously it’s always a big win on Senior Night,” she said. “It felt so good to get [the win] at our house.”
RB (15-8, 7-2 Metro Suburban Conference) consolidated their sentimental victory against Ridgewood with wins over Fenton and Chicago Academy last week as well. Westmont derailed the Bulldogs’ bid for a perfect run of games by dealing RB a 55-51 nonconference loss on Saturday.
Against Fenton, RB trailed the Bison 7-2 after the first quarter before exploding for 27 points in the second quarter en route to a 29-15 halftime lead. Peco canned three shots from beyond the three-point arc and Orgler chipped in seven points during the Bulldogs’ midgame scoring flurry. Four RB players reached double figures as Orgler netted 13 points, Peco and Claywell chipped in 12 apiece and Rusen added 10.
“Winning three games in one week really helps our confidence,” Peco said. “I think we are progressing very well. Our defense is constantly getting better and we’re also improving offensively.”
The Bulldogs blasted Chicago Academy 63-26 in the fifth-place game of the Fenton Season End Tournament. RB seized a commanding 32-7 halftime advantage and never looked back as 11 players scored in the game. Junior forward Brittney JnoBaptiste led RB with 11 points and five rebounds along with Sapienza’s 10 points. The Bulldogs added 18 steals defensively.
