By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Given her time coaching at John Curtis, Riverside Girls’ Basketball Coach Kristy Hebert knows better than anyone the kind of force the Patriots are in District 10-2A.

That said, her Rebels have been making a push in district play, and entered Thursday night’s game at home against Curtis riding a wave of momentum.

Still, it was not enough to topple the Patriots. Curtis toppled Riverside for the second time this season, 62-23.

Kristy Bellock led the Patriots with 16 points in the win.

For Riverside (9-15, 4-3), Brittany Schoen led the way with eight points. Jessica Price added six and Marci Millet scored five.

The win allowed Curtis (24-7, 6-1) to keep within a game of 10-2A leader St. James. It was their sixth win in seven games.

Riverside, meanwhile, remains in third place in 10-2A, gunning for one of the three playoff spots from the district.

The Patriots were able to establish control of the game in the first quarter, outscoring the Rebels 19-5 in the period.

Curtis led 31-9 at the half.

Hebert couldn’t fault the effort of her team, though, who she said “grinded out” a good defensive effort all game, even when the result was no longer in doubt.

“Nobody gave up for us,” said Hebert. “We finished it playing hard. The good part was we were able to hold them to less than they scored in the last game.”

Hebert said that the size advantage that Curtis had over the Rebels created a number of issues for her team.

“They beat us in a big way on the boards, and on the fast break,” said Hebert. “We tried to make them shoot from the outside, but they were rebounding well. They scored the majority of their points on lay-ups and fast break opportunities.”