“Everyone was, of course, nervous going into the game,” junior Makenzie Skrabal said. “But our excitement seemed to just wipe our nerves away. We wanted revenge so we came out with a lot of fire.”
The Bruins got off to a smooth start in the first quarter with a 14-0 scoring run, driven by sophomore Chayla Cheadle, making it known they had every intention of taking home the first place trophy. The Wildcats were only able to put up 14 points against the relentless RBHS defense in the first half with a score of 23-14.
RB girls maintained a 10-point lead through most of the third quarter, putting the Bruin crowd at ease. During the fourth quarter, however, the frustrated Blue Springs team demonstrated that it was not about to give up. The Wildcats slipped through the tight RBHS defense, bringing the score to 41-37 with only two minutes left. And just like that, the Bruin fans were on their feet again.
The Wildcats’ scoring run, however, was countered by seven free throw points from freshman Sophie Cunningham in the last 1:15 of the game, leading the Bruins to a win over Blue Springs.
“I wasn’t positive we had the win,” Skrabal said, “until there were maybe 30 seconds left when we took like a 10 point lead because of Sophie’s free throws.”
This is the RBHS’s second state title in school history, with their last title in 2008. The Bruins feel they have culminated their dominant 25-3 season in the most perfect way possible.
“I feel like everything we went through this year was so worthwhile, and we are all really proud,” senior Nicole Montgomery said. “It’s the best way to end my senior season. I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”
By Emily Wright
