Rockets drop their district semi-final to Northside Christian

After winning their sectional final on Saturday at home against Liberty Christian, the Ridgedale Rockets came into the game with a record of 14-9, one of their best in recent years. Starting just one senior in Landon Murphy, the young Rockets set out to pick up a district semi-final win at Highland High Schools against last year’s defending champs in the Northside Christian Lions.

As the game started, Ridgedale found themselves in a quick hole down 11-0 to begin the game. The Rockets did bounce back by scoring nine in the first quarter to cut the lead to 18-9. But Ridgedale could not rebound from the early deficit as Northside got the win 72-45.

Sophomore Eric Gottfried, known for his outside shooting, began the game going 0-4 from the 3-point arc. The Rockets did manage to stay in the game in part to the inside play of another sophomore in Evan Rickets, who garnered six in the first period. Another sophomore, Kayden Kraviec, came in off of the bench to provide the Rockets with a lift all game, scoring 14 overall.

Northside Christian’s offense was consistent throughout the game, scoring 18 in the first quarter and 17 in the second. Ridgedale picked up their offense a bit in the second scoring 12, but just could not keep up with the Lions steady offense.

The Rockets managed to go basket-for-basket with Northside in the third, only being outscored 19-18 to begin the 2nd half, and cut into the lead a bit more at the beginning of the 4th quarter, only to see the Lions utilize their steady offense, scoring 18 in the final period for the final.

Ridgedale was lead in scoring by Kraviec’s 14, and Evan Ricketts added 13. Gottfried, who averages just under 13 per contest, was held to just 7 points.

Northside Christian put four players in double figures with Devontrel Jackson leading the way with 22, Josh Cook going 5-5 from behind the 3-point arc for 15 points, and Carter Jury adding 13 for the Lions, who are now 19-5 on the season. Northside Christian will go on the play Northmor, who defeated Patriot Prep 56-47.

Ridgedale finishes their season at 14-10