River played host to Steubenville on Wednesday Night, December 15, in Hannibal and picked up an impressive win to send the visitors home on the losing end of a 50-38 score.

The big Reds couldn’t match the Pilots intensity and pressure defense as the home squad caused 14 turnovers and out shot the visitors 19-16 from the floor, but the game was won at the free throw line where the Pilots knocked in 11-15 tries while the Big Reds hit just 3-6.

The Pilots and Big Reds went toe to toe most of the game, but the Pilots stretched the floor in the third frame and got some easy baskets, plus their defense forced some turnovers leading to a 16-2 edge, for a commanding lead and the win.

River was led by sophomore standout Kelsey Harlan who scored a game high 16 points including the Pilots only three pointer on the night, and went 5-6 from the free throw line. She was backed by junior ace Hannah Raper with 15 markers including 3-5 from the charity stripe, plus three steals. Sophomore Tessa Primm added nine points for the Pilots balanced attack and junior Rylee Knight pitched in with six points. Emma Reed also a sophomore hit a bucket for two points to end the scoring.

River girls win third straight

The Pilots played host to Martins Ferry on Saturday December 11, and downed the Purple Riders 48-32 for their third straight win. Kelsey Harlan had the hot hand for the home team scoring a game high 21 points including a trio of 3-pointers and 4-6 showing from the free throw line. She was backed by Hannah Raper and Rylee Knight with nine points each, while Tessa Primm added four. Hobbs contributed three points and E. Reed added a basket.

The Pilots jumped in front early and held a 22-14 lead after one quarter of play before extending the lead to 16 to get the win. River sank 17 field goals in the game with five three pointers and shot 9-12 from the free throw line. Martins Ferry hit 12 field goals and was 5-10 from the charity stripe.

River Girls get Revenge win over Frontier 32-21

Sometimes the home floor and crowd really does make a difference. That seemed to be the case on Thursday night December 9, when the River Pilots got the best of Frontier a team they lost to on the road a week earlier.

On Thursday, the Pilots gained their second straight win on the week as they Rode the hot hand of Tessa Primm who led all scorers with a game high 12 points.

She was backed in double figures by Kelsey Harlan who added 10 markers including a long range three. Emma Reed hit for five points which included drilling a three ball and Hannah Raper went 3-4 from the free throw line for her points.

Rylee Knight rounded out the scoring for Rick Isaly’s club with a basket.

The young Pilots who don’t have a senior on the squad are improving with each game and are working hard in the gym to eliminate mistakes and imrove their ball handling and shooting skills.

River thumps Bridgeport to pick up win number one

The Pilots got their first win on the young season Monday night as they traveled to Bridgeport to do battle with the Bulldogs. Both teams had yet to win a game entering the contest, but that quickly changed as the young River squad went to work and secured the victory 61-32.

The Pilots took a 14 point halftime lead and extended it to 21 entering the fourth frame before getting the 29 point win. Kelsey Harlan had the hot hand for the visitors as she poured in a game high 21 points, while getting ample support from teammates Rylee Knight and Tessa Primm with 16 and 12 points respectively. Pacing the home team Bulldogs was Kaylee Bain with 18 markers, including two long range three pointers.

Harlan had the only three pointer for River, as the Pilots forced 16 turnovers which resulted in 12 points.

The Pilots hit 28 field goals, but only made good on 2-11 from the free throw line. Bridgeport could only manage 12 field goals, but hit on 4-5 from the free throw line.

Adding to the Pilots scoring were E. Reed with eight points on four field goals and Hobbs with a bucket for two points.