RIPON – It is one thing to dominate a team with less talent, but to do so with the effort usually reserved for close games is another.
Ripon Christian accomplished both, putting together a near-perfect performance in a 63-30 Southern League win over Waterford Thursday.
The Knights proved to be the more dominant club from the opening tip, easily notching nine baskets before Waterford could hamper their success. Ripon Christian outscored Waterford 24-10 in the first period and never lost focus.
“We came out and played very well,” Ripon Christian head coach Ed Mulder said. “Our starters are playing better together and we are getting better every week. Unfortunately, Waterford lost some players (to graduation), but overall they played well.”
Ripon Christian (2-0, 7-1 overall) got going behind fast offensive starts from Teagan Manus, Mikaela Alger, Morgan Alger and Cassidy De Rousse. They came out and made jumpers, finished put-backs and drove the ball to the basket aggressively.
The Knights did not lose a beat when Mulder went to his bench midway through the opening period. Jenny Wickham and Rachel De Vries provided consistency off the bench, with Wickham hitting three deep 3-pointers.
“Our mindset is always that we are playing to win,” Wickham said. “But we are also playing for Christ too, so that is all we are going out there with and we got the win and we are thankful for that.”
Wickham finished with a team-high 12 points and De Vries added seven points and seven boards. Manus finished with nine points in limited action, while Alger added six. Mikaela Alger finished with eight points for the Knights before giving way for a teammate.
“The bench played well tonight,” Mulder said. “There were spurts there where they were not blocking out, but overall they hustled and executed and did a good job.
“We really didn’t lose anything when the bench came in.”
The Knights will try and remain perfect in SL play Tuesday when they travel to Le Grand for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
Sophomore
Ripon Christian 50, Waterford 12
Adrianna Van Groningen led the way with 18 points as the Knights took care of Waterford with ease Thursday in Southern League play.
Kirstin Bowman added 10 points to the cause.
Ripon Christian (2-0, 9-2) will travel to Le Grand High for its next contest on Tuesday.
