Young Elkers and Rams played on Saturday
The Ridgway fourth and fifth-grade teams defeated Johnsonburg on Saturday at the FSG Elementary School. The Rams won the sixthgrade contest.
Fourth Grade – Elkers 31, Rams 12 Atticus Johnson scored 18 points to lead Ridgway which also got eight from Jack Fernan,
The 8-8 Lady Elkers host 8-10 Clarion-Limestone this evening. Both have dropped their past two games and are vying for District 9 playoff spots - Ridgway in Class A and the Lady Lions in 2A.
Head coach Jay Schreiber acknowledged his team wasn't at 100 percent in Friday's 5342 home loss to 9-9 DuBois Central Catholic due to sickness and an ankle injury to Grace Bon. The Lady Cardinals won the first meeting in DuBois, 57-40, on Jan. 17.
"We were in a game with a good team, and I can't ask for much more than that. They beat us and I don't want to make excuses, and I usually don't, but I think if we were at full strength, the outcome would be different." two from Sylas Jackson and Zane Oknefski, and Braeden Keller sank a free throw.
Other Elkers playing included Joseph Bush, Chase Dinch, Landyn Gardner, Theoden Geitner, Tristen Huggler, Landon James, DeAngelo Roseberry, and Colten Ross.
For the Rams, Leland Wildnauer and Andrew Gerg had six points each. Others playing
The Lady Elkers are in the midst of a stretch of playing their final nine games in 18 days. After winning 39-26 at Smethport last Monday, they were beaten at 14-3 St. Marys 42-11 on Tuesday before the DCC loss. They play at 8-7 Kane on Wednesday and 6-12 Johnsonburg on Friday. There are three games next week to wrap up the regular season.
The Ridgway coach knows his team needs to get on a roll during the hectic stretch.
"The middle to the end of January and the beginning of February is always the most trying time. But, once you qualify for the playoffs, it gives you a jolt back, but we have to take care of things and get there first."
Clarion-Limestone is in the same boat. The Lady Lions are coming off losses last week to included, Emma Carnasali, Harper Poage, Sydney Miller, Payton Bennett, Meadow Bundy, Kinzie Hoffman, Emmit Pisani, Brooke Mehalko, and Kerri Port.
Fifth Grade – Elkers
20, Rams 11 Kody Marxen's eight points led Ridgway which got six from Gabe Lawrie, four from Charlie Close, and Nolan Reiter scored two. Other players included Nikolai 14-3 Moniteau (63-38) and 16-1 Redbank Valley (62-29). Both are 2A teams.
"They're fighting for a playoff seed like we are, so expect a good contest," Schreiber said. "I thought we had a good practice prepping for them."
With so many games, there's less time for practice. However, the situation is one that the Ridgway coach said is eased by assistants Bob Swanson, Dina Fullem, and Cheri Hofmann.
"Normally, I like two or three practices before a game, and it definitely screws me up, so thankfully, I have a good staff that keeps everything moving along, which helps."
Six of the eight losses include two to DCC, St. Marys, and Elk County Catholic, which entered last night's game with Punxsutawney, 15-2. They were also beaten
Geitner, Colby Heindl, Michael Wonderly, Ryton Smith, Atticus Johnson, Jack Fernan, and Braedon Keller.
Marcus Aiello scored six points for the Rams, Geno Carnesali had four, and Emmett Rockwell one. Others seeing action were Elijah Wildnauer, Brayden Schaberl, Robbie Jacques, Vincent Adamski, Kaysen Ford, Lucas Glatt, Quaid Grunthaner, and by Coudersport (12-3), who comes to town next week, and DuBois (106). None of the eight wins has been over a team .500 or better.
Schreiber has complimented his team's commitment and effort since the first practice, but feels they'll need to put together wins to earn a spot and make noise in the postseason. They've yet to win more than two straight.
"You have to go out in earnest and show you deserve a playoff spot. I feel like we do, but we have to prove it."
Tonight's JV game starts at 6 p.m.
Notes: Juniors Jenna Kasmierski (65 pts.), Kristen Ellenberger (45 pts.), and Gabby Amacher (37 pts.) have accounted for 91-percent of the scoring over the past five games. They all finished in double digits against DCC. Sophomore starters
Eli Bennett.
Sixth Grade – Rams
41, Elkers 24 Jonah King scored 14 points to pace Johnsonburg which also got 12 from Andon Lindberg. Jesse Brunner scored five points, Cooper Pura and Calvin Sample four, and Jace Zimmerman two. Aiden Carnovale, Evan Wildnauer, Grayson Lehman, Eli Morris, Dalton Detwiler, Dylan Cannella, Eli Myers, Emma Vargas and Sophia Copello, and Bon off the bench have scored the rest in those games. Freshmen Addie Kuleck and Sara Zameroski have seen most of the action off the bench… The loss to the Lady Cardinals eliminated Ridgway from competing in the
Rick Moate, and Jackson Baker also played.
Liam Kilpeck and Levi James each scored eight points for Ridgway and Aidan Bender, Brayden Klink, Carlin Porter, and Bryan Miller had two. Also playing for Ridgway were Davohn Andrade, Cameron Brasse, Cayden Boyles, Jack Fitch, Bryce Hanson, Romel Hatchett, Huck Washburn, and Eli Wonderly.
AML playoffs. DCC will finish second in the league's South Division which St. Marys (14-3) has clinched. Elk County Catholic has clinched the North, and Kane will finish second… The Lady Elkers are among eight Class A teams with .500 or better marks.