Digital Harbor coach Patrick McDonald told his players prior to Saturday night's game against Riverdale Baptist that they would likely not run into a more difficult opponent the rest of the season.
The Lady Crusaders are ranked in the top five in several national polls and have five players who have been offered Division I scholarships. And their size and quickness were simply too much for the No. 3 Rams to overcome in a 74-33 Riverdale Baptist victory at the Beast of the East showcase Saturday night at St. Frances.
"The game is decided 94 by 50," McDonald said, referencing the dimentions of the court. "It's not decided by rankings in the papers or the college coaches who were at this wonderful event. We didn't play well tonight, and they were exceptional. When you play a team that has all the tools, you have to bring the tool kit. We didn't do that tonight."
A'Lexus Harrison led Digital Harbor (1-1) with 11 points. Chloe Jackson had 14 points for Riverdale Baptist, and Jennie Simms added 13.
Riverdale Baptist never trailed. A layup by Brittany Murray gave the Lady Crusaders a 24-8 lead with 2:51 in the half, forcing Digital Harbor to call a timeout. The Lady Crusaders were most effective in transition, creating easy baskets for their forwards with quick, precise passes.
"Baltimore City has a fast-placed style of play, and we like that," Riverdale Baptist coach Diane Richardson said. "We just have to play our style of basketball. We can't get caught up in rankings, because they don't mean anything to end of the season."
A layup and free throw by Erin Blaine extended the lead to 33-10 at the half.
Riverdale Baptist continued to pull away in the second half. A layup and a three-pointer by Jennie Simms boosted the lead 40-13 with 5:55 left in third quarter. Digital Harbor continued to play aggressively, especially on defense, but it was not nearly enough to overcome the deficit.
Girls basketball
Riverdale Baptist 74, Digital Harbor 33
R- Atkinson 6, Blaine 8, Ellis 5, Gilmore 1, Jackson 14, Jones 2, Johnson 3, Laster 3, Mungo 4, Murray 8, Sampson 5, Simms 13, Boykins 2.
Totals: 25 12-19 74
D- Parks 2, Straiten 7, Harrison 11, Alston 2, Scarborough 5, Carroll 2, Alexander 4
Totals: 10 11-27 33