AR girls tumble to Kentwood, 61-45

By Erick Walker • January 22, 2009 1:51 pm
Auburn Riverside's Nichole Jackson goes up for a shot in front of Kentwood defenders Lindsey Moore (5) and Courtney Johnson (42).
Auburn Riverside's Nichole Jackson goes up for a shot in front of Kentwood defenders Lindsey Moore (5) and Courtney Johnson (42).

Jessie Genger and the Kentwood High girls basketball team gave eighth-ranked Auburn Riverside a taste of its own medicine Tuesday night.

Genger connected for four 3-pointers, including back-to-back from long distance during a pivotal second-quarter swing, leading the second-ranked Conquerors past the Ravens 61-45 in a South Puget Sound League North Division showdown.

Genger finished the game with 18 points. As a team the Conquerors (10-0, 14-0), hit on 7 of 16 from long range. In comparison, Auburn Riverside, which has made a living from 3-point range the last couple of years, hit on just 5 of 24 from long distance.

“We’ve been emphasizing to the kids to take the ball to the basket and try to get to the glass and not shoot so many threes,” said Auburn Riverside coach Ed Rosin. “We didn’t shoot nearly as many as we did in the first game.”

But even when the Ravens (8-3, 10-5) got close, there seemed to be an invisible lid covering the hoop.

“Kentwood’s playing phenomenal,” Rosin said. “They have such good balance. They execute so well in the half court. They play within themselves and play so much as a team.”

The Conquerors were led by Lindsey Moore’s game-high 20 points.

Mercedes Wetmore and Amanda Thomson led the Ravens with 10 points apiece.

Auburn Riverside’s Kat Cooper, a 6-foot guard, missed her fifth straight game with mononucleosis. She isn’t expected back until February.

“There have been a lot of things that haven’t gone Riverside’s way so far,” Rosin said. “We keep telling the girls ‘it will come around. It will turn around. Don’t count Riverside out.’”

ELSEWHERE:

Auburn Mountainview 59, Lakes 34

Angel Pele returned to form in the Lions (5-4, 7-4) win over the Lancers (4-5, 7-6) in SPSL 3A action, with a game-high 25 points. Senior Stephanie Smolinski had 15 points and Ida Huners added 10 points in the win. The Lions currently are in fourth place in the SPSL 3A.

Auburn 77, Kent-Meridian 68

Heather Restrepro had a game-high 27 points in the Trojans (4-7, 6-9) victory over the Royals (1-9, 3-9)Tuesday. Jessica Morgan added 19 points and Isia Johnson had 14 points. The Trojans, currently in sixth place, will try to overtake Kentlake forthe fifth and final playoff spot, with a 7:30 game tonight at Auburn High School.