PATCH GROVE – Playing without three of their top four scorers, the Black Hawk Warriors were no match for host River Ridge last Friday night in a non-conference girls’ basketball contest.

Coach Caron Townsend’s squad easily handed the visiting Warriors a 60-35 loss, and remained unbeaten on the year, and improved to 7-0 overall.

Without the services of seniors Jen Wellnitz and Mikayla Sigafus, as well as sophomore Aleigha Sigafus, Black Hawk struggled to keep up with the scoring pace established by the Timberwolves.

River Ridge senior Meagan Herrick had no trouble putting the ball in the basket, as she scored her team’s first nine points and had 13 in the first quarter.

The host Timberwolves led 19-5 after one quarter of play, and jumped out to a 27-9 lead when sophomore Amber Patterson made two free throws with 4:22 to play in the first half.

River Ridge held an 18-point advantage at halftime, then outscored the Warriors 14-12 in the third quarter, and 11-5 in the fourth.

Herrick finished the game with a team-high 17 points, while Patterson was close behind with 16. Adding 10 points to the win was senior Sabrina White.

Leading the Warriors with 13 points, 10 in the first half, was senior Michelle Flanagan, who fouled out of the game late in the fourth quarter.

This Thursday night, unbeaten River Ridge (1-0, 7-0) will host Potosi (1-0, 4-3) in only the second conference game of the season for both squads.

River Ridge 60,
Black Hawk 35
(from Friday, Jan. 3)
Black Hawk    5    13    12    5 - 35
River Ridge    19    16    14    11 - 60
Black Hawk - Holland 7, Cushman 3, Flanagan 13, Jackson 7, Hull 5. Totals - 10 8-12 35.
River Ridge - Bridgette Myers 6, Roni Zinkle 3, Sabrina White 10, Johanna Allen 4, Meagan Herrick 17, Michelle Cliff 2, Amber Patterson 16, Bailey Plondke 2. Totals - 27 5-14 60.
3-point goals - BH: Flanagan 3, Cushman 1, Jackson 1; RR: Herrick 1. Team fouls - BH 15, RR 13. Fouled out - Flanagan (BH).