BACKYARD BATTLE

By Chuck Housteau

McDonald holds off Mineral Ridge, 61-52

Joh’Vonnie Mosley had 23 points to lead the Blue Devils.

MINERAL RIDGE — Even though Joh’Vonnie Mosley has played in a lot of big games, including a regional appearance in 2008, the fourth-year starter for McDonald still gets nervous before games.

Mosley, who is poised to become the Blue Devils’ all-time leading scorer this season, poured in 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to help McDonald turn back backyard rival Mineral Ridge 61-52.

“Mineral Ridge is a really good team,” Mosley said. “I was nervous. We all were all nervous and we wanted to come out of here with a win.

“Ridge showed you how good they were tonight.”

McDonald (2-1) held a slim two-point lead late in the contest when Mosley got rebounds twice off the miss of her teammates free throw attempts and put in baskets to seal the contest for the Blue Devils.

“When we are in trouble we go to Joh’vonnie,” said McDonald coach Rob Hilbun. “It’s nice to have a go-to player like her.

“Those [rebounds and baskets] were the difference tonight.”

McDonald opened the game impressively behind the strong play of Mosley and Taylor Stanley to jump out to a 14-9 first quarter lead.

Mosley however, picked up her second foul early in the second quarter and had to go to the bench. It looked like the Rams might be able to take advantage Mosley’s absence but that wasn’t the case.

Mineral Ridge (1-1) cut the McDonald lead to 17-15 on two free throws by Abby Riffee before the Blue Devils’ Joey Courtney came off the bench to knock in four 3-pointers in a row.

Courtney’s scoring barrage helped the Blue Devils open a seemingly safe 15-point halftime lead at 38-23.

“It was nice to see that the other girls contributed while I sat with foul trouble,” Mosley said. “We have a lot of good shooters who can get the job done and compliment me well.”

Ridge coach Del Ruiter said he had a feeling at halftime that his young team had a chance to make a run and get back in the game and the Rams did just that.

“We were down 15 at halftime and I told the girls it was going to take a great effort to get back in the game,” said Ruiter. “They came out and showed me they had a little bit of heart and were able to get back in the contest.

“It came down to a few possessions with a minute-forty to go to decide this game.”

Ridge’s comeback was fueled by the play of Riffee, Brittany Bevilacqua and Megan Ben who all knocked down big shots in the third and fourth quarters.

Ridge pulled to within two points, 54-52, on a 3-pointer by Riffee with two minutes left but that was as close as the Rams got.

“We know every time we play them — it doesn’t matter what sport it is — they come to play,” Hilbun said of the Rams. “No matter how much you’re up or down each team is going to fight to the end.

“Ridge showed great heart and never gave up. But at the end we made just a few more plays than they did.”

Courtney helped the Blue Devils in scoring with 12 points while teammate Stanley added 10.

Ben led the Rams with 16 points and eight rebounds while Bevilacqua and Riffee each chipped in with 12 points.