HS Girls Basketball: Emerald Ridge Pulls Away In 4th Quarter Over Rogers

1/23/25

Rogers (Puyallup) Rams 6/6/11/12 – 35
Emerald Ridge Jaguars 8/13/12/18 – 51

(South Hill, WA) The SPSL North Title race is heating up, with Emerald Ridge and Sumner tied at the top at 11-1 in league play. Rogers handed Sumner their first league loss of the season last week, and the Rams came into Emerald Ridge on Wednesday night with a lot of confidence after playing some of their best basketball all season long. Emerald Ridge was coming off a loss to Ellensburg on Monday but, with a 13-3 record, are playing some fantastic basketball too. The two teams boast great defensive play, and that would be showcased on floor between the Rams and the Jaguars.

In the first quarter, the teams, as advertised, used tremendous defense to hold the offenses under 10 points. Naleila Cammack and Raymiah Jackson each had a pair of baskets for Emerald Ridge to give them the early lead as they held it all quarter. Rogers defense helped keep the Rams within a basket or two the whole quarter, as they used quite a few players off the bench, and regardless of who was on the floor, their defensive intensity remained high. Emerald Ridge took an 8-6 lead heading into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, Emerald Ridge’s Raymiah Jackson hit a pair of threes to get the Jaguars offense in rhythm. Jackson had 10 first-half points and helped Emerald Ridge score 13 points in the second quarter. Rogers was held to only six points in the quarter, due to more fantastic defense from the Jags. Emerald Ridge held a 21-12 lead at the half.

In the third quarter, Rogers came out, forcing multiple Emerald Ridge turnovers and going on a 9-1 run to close the deficit from nine at the half to just one at 22-21. There were a couple of possessions where the game felt up for grabs, but Emerald Ridge closed the quarter on an 11-2 run to take a 33-23 lead, which was capped by Raymiah Jackson hitting a deep three as time expired on the third quarter for the Jaguars.

In the fourth, Emerald Ridge saved their best scoring quarter for last, scoring 18 points. Rogers had their best quarter scoring-wise, but they only had 12 in the quarter. The final score ended up being 51-35 with Emerald Ridge winning the game, but it was much closer than the score would indicate, due to some late free throws and baskets for Emerald Ridge.

Emerald Ridge improves to 14-3 on the season and 12-1 in league play. The Jaguars will go to Puyallup on Friday for more SPSL North action. Emerald Ridge is still tied at the top of the standings with Sumner who are both 12-1 on the season, and will host Sumner in the final game of the regular season, a game which could determine the SPSL North title. Both Sumner and Emerald Ridge have cemented their places in the District Tournament.

Rogers drops to 10-7 on the season and 8-5 in league play. The Rams host Curtis on Friday in their next matchup. Rogers has also clinched a spot in the District Tournament. The top three teams in the SPSL North and SPSL South automatically have a spot in the District Tournament, and the fourth and fifth-place teams will crossover to play each other in the SPSL Tournament in loser-out games to determine who will play in the District 3/4 Tournament.

Our Thorbeckes Game MVP went to Raymiah Jackson for Emerald Ridge. She had 20 points, four threes, was pivotal in the post, collecting rebounds on the defensive side, and without her, the game would’ve been much different.

Emerald Ridge also had a nice night from Jaryah McGriff, who finished with 10 points and also played a big role in the post for the Jaguars. Naleila Cammack had eight points, Saniya Fair had eight points also, and Cynoria Norse finished with two points.

Rowan DeForrest led Rogers with 11 points, who was all over the place for the Rams, and helped Rogers pull to within one point early in the second half. Elaine Pilcher had eight points for the Rams, Zailyn Paranada had seven points, Ellie Jordan had four points, and Kelsey Pettit had three points.

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