[heading]Junior Sophie Cunningham leads the team in a 58-43 win against Fort Smith to win the Deepsnap Tournament of Champions.[/heading]
After winning their first two games at the Deepsnap Tournament of Champions in Fort Smith, Ark., the Bruin girls basketball team went into their championship game Saturday night with hopes of winning the prestigious event. While the Bruins only led 20-18 at halftime, they dominated the second half, outscoring their opponent Fort Smith Southside (AR) en route to a solid 58-43 victory to secure the title.
Junior Sophie Cunningham led the way for RBHS scoring 23 points and recording game highs with four assists and three steals. Senior Audrey Holt added 10 points and four rebounds, and junior Cierra Porter put in seven points and pulled down seven boards.
“It feels great to come into a place where no one knows much about us and be able to represent our program so well,” Holt said. “I think that having such big wins over some very good teams says a lot about the hard work that we have been putting in. This tournament was great way to challenge us and force us to play good hard basketball. We love the competition and are very proud of each of our teammates for stepping up to the challenge.”
In addition to winning the tournament as a team, three Bruins received individual honors. Cunningham, Porter and Holt were all named to the all-tournament team. Additionally, Cunningham was named the tournament MVP and Holt was selected for the Heart of a Champion award which is given to the player who displays the highest level of character, work ethic, sportsmanship and leadership on and off the court, according to the tournament website.
“Winning those awards meant a lot to me because I had started the season with a partially torn hamstring and hadn’t been able to play,” Holt said. “I was very happy that, with the help of my teammates, I was able to do that.”
Holt emphasized that despite having so many good individuals, the team’s success is because everyone is buying into the team above themselves.
“We have been blessed with players that are not only extremely talented but that also help to exploit the talents of their teammates,” Holt said. “It would be easy for such a talented group for someone to steal the spotlight, but the result of this tournament is a tribute to our focus and the importance we put on working together.”
By Josh Ripley
