Basketball Recap: Southridge Falls Despite Big Games from Emily Jean-Glaude and Sakura Barnes

After flying high against Palmetto last Monday, Southridge came back down to earth. The Southridge Spartans came up short against the River Ridge Knights on Saturday, falling 81-58. While losing is never fun, the Spartans can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 40th in Florida, while the Knights are ranked first in Georgia).

Southridge's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Sakura Barnes, who went 6 of 11 en route to 15 points in addition to five rebounds and three steals, and Emily Jean-Glaude, who went 6 for 10 on her way to 13 points and eight boards. Barnes is crushing it when it comes to steals: she's grabbed at least three every time she's taken the court this season.

River Ridge's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Kayla Cleaveland led the charge by dropping a double-double on 22 points and ten rebounds. Another player making a difference was Makayla Roberson, who almost dropped a double-double on 17 points and nine boards.

Southridge's loss dropped their record down to 9-8. As for River Ridge, the win was the 15th in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 18-1.

Southridge wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next game, a 57-52 defeat against Creekside on the 20th. As for River Ridge, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next contest, a 74-60 victory against Holy Innocents Episcopal on the 20th.