Royals lose rematch with last season’s regional foe

The Lake Ridge Royals dropped a tough road loss at Cornerstone Christian on Jan. 24, falling to the Patriots, 55-46. It was a rematch of last season’s regional contest that Cornerstone won in overtime.

Neither team could get into a rhythm for much of the night, but it was an even game for more than three quarters, until Cornerstone Christian finally pulled away late in the fourth.

Lake Ridge was outscored, 1911, in the final period of play, as the Patriots did the bulk of their damage scoring off of secondchance opportunities and getting to the free throw line.

Cornerstone Christian made 14-of-22 free throws on the night, while Lake Ridge made onley one trip to the free throw line, which came late in the game.

The game was still within reach with 1:20 to play, before Patriots guard Grace Marino knocked down a dagger from

beyond-the-arc to build the lead up to six.

Marino scored a gamehigh 16 points, hitting four shots from long range.

Junior guard Sydney Mayberry led Lake Ridge with 14 points, while freshman post Amaya Staton made life difficult for the Patriots under the rim, blocking six shots.

Lake Ridge coach Lisa Medvetz didn’t make excuses for the loss, though the Royals have been trying to get back in rhythm in recent weeks after missing key players throughout the middle portion of the season.

“They have to find it within themselves right now,” said Medvetz.

“Right now, it’s a mental block for them and they have to know how to get through it as a team.”

The Royals started the 2016-17 season on a sevengame win-streak, but have dropped six of their last eight since Dec. 17.

Medvetz believes her team has the potential to get back in full swing in time for the state tournament, but knows the window is closing with every game.

“We had a strong mindset at the beginning of the season and then, when injuries occurerd, and one thing happened after another, we lost ourselves,” the coach stated.

“That’s what we’re going to use the rest of these (regular season) games for — to try and find it before the tournament. I don’t care if we’re the 12th seed or whatever. You have to beat them all to get there.”

Lake Ridge (9-6, 1-0 LEC) is back in action on Jan. 26 to host Elyria, where the Royals will look to find their way again.

“They have to find it within themselves right now.”

— Royals coach Lisa Medvetz