TOLEDO – Coming off, arguably, their worst performance of the season Monday at Oregon Clay, Ross’ Lady Giants were looking for a bounce-back effort.
While the final score may not show it – a 68-29 loss to league and state power Notre Dame Academy – Ross coach Juan Vela said his team did what it wanted to do: put its game against Clay behind it.
“I thought they responded well. They competed. They did the best the can, they played hard and they played together,” Vela said. “Defensively, they didn’t back down, our girls were doing the best they can and that’s all we ask from them. Hopefully we’re back on track and we keep moving on.”
Notre Dame started out quickly, taking a 14-3 lead in the game’s first four minutes on its way to a 20-10 lead after the first quarter. From there, the Eagles continued to soar, starting the fits five minutes of the second quarter on an 8-1 run and leading 36-14 at halftime.
“In game like that we also play a couple JV players too, so they can get some playing time,” Vela said. “That was in the third and fourth quarter. Those kind of games, you don’t really play your starters too much when it’s out of hand, just because of injuries and stuff like that. The score was not what it looked like, I guess, but they are very good, I don’t want to take anything away from (Notre Dame).”
Jazmin Bulger led Ross with 10 points while Olivia Baptista added nine.
The Lady Giants are now 13-8 overall, 6-7 in the TRAC. Ross concludes its regular season next Thursday at home against Whitmer. Vela said he and his team have already spoken about the game being their last of the season in the Purple Pit.
“That’s something we talked about. It’s Senior Night, it’s against Whitmer, they’re No. 3, we’re No. 4 in the league. I think it’ll be a good game to make a statement, it’ll be a god way for these seniors to exit out playing for Ross.
“And I think the community has liked this team, they’ve shown some skill and it’s an opportunity for this community to come watch one more game from this team. And it’ll be a good game, Whitmer is no slouch of a team.”
Notre Dame 68, Fremont Ross 29
FR|10—4—9—6 29
NDA| 20—16—15—17 68
ROSS (29)
Bulger 3 2-4 10; O. Baptista 3 1-2 9; Syzmanowski 1 0-1 2; B. Baptista 1 0-0 2; McClanren 1 0-0 2; Sabiers 2 0-0 4; Overmyer 0 0-2 0. Totals,11 3-9 29.
NOTRE DAME (68)
Hibbettt 5 0-0 10; K. Johnson 7 3-5 21; Kizer 1 0-2 2; Dzotsi 0 1-2 1; Berron 3 1-2 8; J. Johnson 6 0-1 13; Cummings 6 1-3 13. Totals, 28 6-15 68.
3-pointers: FR, 4 (Bulger 2; O. Baptista 2). NDA, 6 (K. Johnson 4; Berron 1; J. Johnson 1).