The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – The Alleghany girls came back from 13 down but couldn’t complete the rally, falling 40-33 to Rockbridge County in Shenandoah District action Tuesday night.
Ja’Kara Heighter’s driving layup tied the game at 33 with one minute left, but the Cougars didn’t score again. Rockbridge closed out the game with seven straight free throws to secure the win.
Free throws were decisive. Alleghany outscored Rockbridge 30-18 from the floor, but the Wildcats made 22 of 33 from the line, while the Cougars were just 3-for-3.
Lola Mulitalo led Rockbridge with 19 points and 15 rebounds, going 11-for-17 at the line, as the Wildcats improved to 4-4 in district play.
Rockbridge scored the first nine points and led 21-13 at halftime. Midway through the third quarter, the Cougars began their comeback. Taylor Stayton’s putback, Ty’Aieja Smith’s three off a Zamya Hayslett assist, a Kaydence Bragg three-point play, and a Smith assist to Analiese Webb fueled a 12-0 run. Bragg’s free throws to open the fourth gave Alleghany its first lead.
The Wildcats regained a 33-29 edge before Heighter’s back-to-back baskets tied it, setting the stage for the final minute.
Smith led Alleghany with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. Stayton added eight points and 11 rebounds, and Bragg had seven points and five boards.
