Basketball Recap: Cox Mill Takes Loss Despite Strong Performances from Spoorthi Saranu and Lauren Farrell

Cox Mill was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their third straight loss. They took a hard 65-48 fall against the Hickory Ridge Ragin' Bulls. While losing is never fun, the Chargers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 277th, while the Ragin' Bulls are ranked 77th).

Spoorthi Saranu

Points (Career)

02/11/25 vs Hickory Ridge	15
01/28/25 vs West Cabarrus	14
02/27/24 @ Mount Tabor	12
02/02/24 vs A.L. Brown	11
01/24/25 vs Mooresville	9

Cox Mill's loss came despite strong showings from Lauren Farrell and Spoorthi Saranu. Farrell dropped a double-double with 18 points and 12 boards, while Saranu posted 15 points. The dominant performance gave Saranu a new career-high in points.

Even though they lost, Cox Mill smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 13 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in seven consecutive games.

Ma-Kaela Gidney was her usual excellent self, going 11-for-17 en route to 25 points in addition to eight rebounds and six steals for Hickory Ridge. Gidney is becoming a predictor of Hickory Ridge's success: when she posts at least five steals the team is undefeated (and 5-7 when she doesn't). Makaila Ritter was another key player, going 5-for-11 on her way to 16 points and four steals.

Cox Mill's defeat dropped their record down to 9-14. As for Hickory Ridge, they have been performing well recently as they've won nine of their last 12 contests, which provided a nice bump to their 16-7 record this season.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Cox Mill will face off against South Iredell at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. As for Hickory Ridge, they will challenge West Cabarrus at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.