The River Pilots defeated Monroe Central and the Magnolia Blue Eagles in their past couple games. Against Monroe Central the duo of Cassidy McCullough and Jordan Ramsay teamed for 26 points to help lead the Lady Pilots to a sparkling 45-33 victory.

“This was a total team effort,” said a jubilant River Head Coach Rick Isaly. “We played outstanding defense and worked the ball around on offense. We took good shots and the girls followed the game plan to the “T.”

After a slow start, the Lady Pilots led 16-14 at the break. The Pilots would tally 29 points the rest of the way, while holding the Lady Seminole offense and defense in check.

McCullough came up big for the Lady Pilots, shooting the ball and playing outstanding defense during the game. “Cassidy is improving daily,” said Isaly. “She is only a freshman and came out of a shooting slump tonight to help us gain the win.”

McCullough led the way with 14 points, while hitting 6-9 shots from the floor. Ramsay contributed 12 points, while hauling in a game-high seven boards. Alexa Isaly and Autumn Beisel each tallied eight markers for the Lady Pilots, while Megan Beard netted three points.

Isaly had three steals for the Pilots, while Beard kidnapped two. “We held the Seminoles’ Alex Kuhn to seven points,” said Isaly. “She has been averaging 23 points a game. Until the last 2:11 in the game, Autumn, Alexa and Cassidy did a great job on her. Monroe Central beat us by 11 in our first match up and have only lost two games. They shot 25 foul shots in the first game and we limited them to only eight attempts.”

River 39, Magnolia 37

The Magnolia Lady Eagles had two players hit in double figures, while the Lady Pilots had one. But, the rest of the Lady Pilots’ supporting cast tallied 29 points to only nine points for the Eagles to take the two-game series 39-37.

The Eagles took a four-point advantage after one period of play, but the Lady Pilots closed the gap to a deuce with a 10-8 run second period.

Although the Pilots reclaimed the lead in the third period, Magnolia closed the gap, but not close enough.

Beard stepped up big for the Lady Pilots with a team-high 10 points and 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season, while Ramsay chipped in with nine points. Isaly added eight points, while McCullough and Beisel each netted six in the victory.

The Lady Eagles were led by Padyn Ludewig and Marissa Bosley with 18 and 10 points, respectively. Ludewig was 10-10 at the line. Jordan Babe, Abby Harlan and Dallas Mullett finished the Eagles’ scoring.

“With back-to-back wins, the girls’ confidence is improving,” said Coach Isaly. “The third period was the turning point in the game, we applied a little full court pressure and got some steals and turnovers from it that gave us some points.”

Isaly had 11 steals for the Lady Pilots, who out rebounded the Eagles 32-24 with 17 turnovers Magnolia’s 25.

The Lady Pilots will look to make it three wins in a row when they travel to Shenandoah Jan. 28, while the Lady Eagles will lick their wounds and try to take care of business against Williamstown Monday before they host Monroe Central Jan. 28 at 6 p.m.