Kaiserslautern Comes Out on Top
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – The tension was palpable at Ramstein High School as Kaiserslautern faced off against their fierce local rivals, Ramstein.
Senior Elizabeth Marriott was the backbone of the Raiders, demonstrating unwavering confidence in her teammates even as they navigated a high-pressure matchup.
With just under seven minutes left in the game and the Raiders clinging to a nine-point lead, Marriott found herself fouled out, leaving her teammates to defend their hard-earned advantage.
Despite the setback, Kaiserslautern held on for a narrow victory, finishing at 44-40.
Marriott had a standout performance, racking up 20 points before her exit.
She ignited the team with her scoring prowess, netting the last seven points of the first quarter and hitting a crucial three-pointer right before halftime that helped establish a solid lead.
Team Resilience Shines
Once she was sidelined, her teammates rose to the occasion.
Vernesha Oliver opened the scoring in the final stretch with a well-placed jump shot, followed by a free throw from Shayla King that padded their lead.
Hazel Sanders sealed the game with a free throw in the closing moments, ensuring they maintained a two-possession cushion.
In reflecting on the game, Oliver stressed the necessity of flexibility and teamwork, which proved essential for securing the win.
On the other side, Ramstein’s effort was commendable, and though they struggled early on, head coach Christina Hewitt appreciated their resilience.
The Royals faced an uphill battle, at one point trailing by as many as 11 points in the second half.
They managed to inch closer to the Raiders, but it was too little, too late.
A basket from Feliciana Davis, assisted by Aryanna Guishard, sparked a short-lived rally.
Looking Ahead to the Season
However, the Royals faced a significant hurdle: a staggering 35 turnovers that hindered their comeback efforts.
Nevertheless, Davis emerged as a key player, notching an impressive double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Hewitt shared a mixed perspective on the match, commending her players for their fight but acknowledging that they fell short in execution.
She also recognized Kaiserslautern’s early determination, which played a crucial role in the outcome.
This hard-fought victory is a morale booster for the Raiders, particularly as they seek to establish themselves, especially considering Ramstein’s strong performance in prior seasons and their aspirations for the European tournament.
Oliver expressed hopefulness about their trajectory, indicating that with dedication and effort, the team might just have a chance at clinching the Euro championship.
Earlier in the day, Ramstein secured a commanding win over Kaiserslautern, dominating the scoreboard with a 71-51 result.
Nevertheless, players Christian Roy and Awwab Noble voiced dissatisfaction, feeling their defensive efforts left much to be desired, especially given their substantial 40-20 lead at halftime.
Roy emphasized the need for improved defense, while Noble echoed the sentiment, calling for heightened focus.
Yet, they also acknowledged their offensive strength, with contributions from all 11 squad members.
Leading the scoring, Noble amassed 18 points, followed closely by Ky’Ron Hall with 14.
The Royals kicked off that game with incredible momentum, surging to a swift 10-2 lead early on.
Noble and Roy were pivotal in this strong start, with Noble finding the basket multiple times in the initial minutes while Roy added essential points.
In the end, the Raiders couldn’t recover from Ramstein’s early pressure.
Both teams now look forward to a promising season ahead, poised for exciting matchups in the days to come.
Source: Stripes