Lady Rebels overcome slow start to defeat Manila 53-20

Riverside overcame a sluggish start and went on to defeat Manila 53-20 in senior girls basketball action Thursday night at Lake City.

The reigning NEA Champion Lady Rebels struggled to get their offense in gear through most of the first quarter, but held a 16-11 lead with the help of back to back three pointers by Bailey Fisher and Lotti Hoffman to take a five point advantage into the second stanza.

Whitney Wagganor canned a three to begin the second period, putting Riverside up eight, but Tessa Pannells answered with an inside bucket for Manila, closing the gap to 19-13 at the 5:44 mark. Unfortunately for the Lady Lions, it would be their only points of the quarter. Neither team managed points over the next four plus minutes, until Hoffman and Fisher drained consecutive treys once again to put Riverside on top 25-13 at the half.

Lady Rebel Briley Douglas blocks out Manila's Sydney Adcock during Thursday night's 3A-3 conference matchup at Lake City.

The Lady Rebels began to widen their margin in the third period, getting two three pointers from Fisher and another trey from Haven Robertson. When Briley Douglas finished off the quarter with an inside bucket, Riverside held a commanding 43-18 lead heading into the final frame.

Riverside coasted through the fourth quarter and closed out the game with three pointers from Brittany Sain and Robertson to pick up the win.

Robertson led the Lady Rebels with 15 points while Fisher completed the night with 12, all on three pointers. Hoffman had eight, Sain tallied seven, Wagganor contributed five while Douglas, Hattie Milligan and Carson Smith all chipped in two points apiece. Riverside was perfect from the line, going 5-5, while dropping in 10 triples on the night.

Jordan Tyler paced Manila with five points, Pannells and Madison Bibbs scored four points apiece, Hannah Teague finished with three while Sydney Adcock and Andi Baker added two points each.

In junior high action, Riverside doubled Manila 32-16. Grace Ann Puckett topped the Lady Rebels with 11 while Beaner Hoffman and Anna Meurer added seven points apiece. Alexis Courtney scored three while Alexis Boatman chipped in two points.

Brailey Hampton led Manila with nine points. Anna Grace Adams had three while Grace Wilkins and Sadie Massey pitched in two points apiece.

Riverside began the week with a tough two point loss on the road at Brookland, 39-37. The Lady Rebels held a 10-5 lead after the opening quarter and took an 18-10 advantage into the dressing room at the half. The Lady Bearcats rallied in the third period to square things 30-30 heading into the fourth quarter.

Robertson led the Lady Rebels with 10 points while Fisher and Wagganor added eight points apiece. Hoffman scored five, Sain had three, Hailey Carr tallied two while Milligan chipped in one point.

Hannah Lovrien and Kalifa Ford paced Brookland with nine points apiece.

In junior high action, Brookland handed Riverside a 44-36 loss. Loren Payne led Brookland with 11 points. Puckett topped Riverside with 17 while Hoffman chipped in 10. Cailey Qualls scored five, Alexis Courtney netted four while Lexi Hall pitched in two points.

The Lady Rebels return to action Monday night, playing host to Osceola. Riverside will close the week with a road trip Thursday night to Gosnell.

Manila lost to Westside 56-45 Monday night on the road. Hayley Sykes scored a game high 19 points to lead the Lady Warriors, who connected on 26-31 free throws. Shelby Leonard added 15 points.

Teague topped Manila with 14 points. Tyler scored seven, Hannah McQueen had six, Pannells and Bibbs contributed five points apiece, Adcock netted four while Kaitlyn Adams and Presley Pierce added two points apiece.

In the junior girls game, Manila downed Westside 26-19. Hampton led the way for the Lady Lions with 16 points. Adams scored eight while Vivian Pryor added two points.

Manila plays host to Brookland Monday night before traveling to Osceola on Thursday.