Rocky Grove girls basketball team recorded their first win under second-year head coach Brad Clayton with a 49-39 decision over Titusville Saturday in the consolation game of the Roy Sanner Tip-Off Tournament.
It was the most points the Orioles have scored in a single game in a while and an encouraging follow-up to the previous evening's hard-fought 47-26 loss to the eventual tournament winner Oil City.
It was the most points the Orioles have scored in a single game in a while and an encouraging follow-up to the previous evening's hard-fought 47-26 loss to the eventual tournament winner Oil City.
Though the team didn't really celebrate like they hadn't won in awhile, it was a good start for the team.
“I’m just so proud of the girls,” Clayton said after the victory. He took over the program just last year and had a roster that was only eight players deep most of the season.
This year, he has 12 players, including a senior returning to the sport after several years, a freshman who saw a lot of playing time this weekend and a transfer from Cochranton.
“Every one of them is a grinder. They never give up,” he said of the team overall.
“I’m just so proud of the girls,” Clayton said after the victory. He took over the program just last year and had a roster that was only eight players deep most of the season.
This year, he has 12 players, including a senior returning to the sport after several years, a freshman who saw a lot of playing time this weekend and a transfer from Cochranton.
“Every one of them is a grinder. They never give up,” he said of the team overall.
This year’s depth means the team can scrimmage during practice and also field as JV squad – two improvements over last year. Add that to the fact that most of last year’s players are on the squad again, and Clayton sees potential for more positive outcomes this season, especially as the team gains experience working together.
“Don’t judge us at the beginning of December,” Clayton said. “Judge us at the end of January.”
“Don’t judge us at the beginning of December,” Clayton said. “Judge us at the end of January.”
The team also has a new assistant coach – Jack Gravatt. “He brings a ton of knowledge to the table.”
As for Saturday’s victory, Clayton said the key was managing their play once some of the girls found themselves in foul trouble. “They did a great job of playing with multiple fouls on them.”
The team was led by senior RaeLynn Montgomery, who was named to the all-tournament team. Also seeing lots of playing time were returning starter Emily Rice, sophomore Zoe Cresswell, and team newbies Paige Cresswell, Lydia Kennedy and Aislynne Anderson.
As for Saturday’s victory, Clayton said the key was managing their play once some of the girls found themselves in foul trouble. “They did a great job of playing with multiple fouls on them.”
The team was led by senior RaeLynn Montgomery, who was named to the all-tournament team. Also seeing lots of playing time were returning starter Emily Rice, sophomore Zoe Cresswell, and team newbies Paige Cresswell, Lydia Kennedy and Aislynne Anderson.
“They played very good team basketball today,” Clayton said of his squad. “We took care of the basketball. Their intensity is up on both sides of the basketball.”
The team will be back in action on Tuesday with a 6 p.m. varsity home game against Commodore Perry.
See more photos from the Roy Sanner tournament here: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p662387707
Below are photos from the first game of the tournament against Oil City.
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