By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Riverside saw a 14-point lead almost wilt away in the fourth quarter but managed to put away scrappy Haynes team at home in its District 9-2A finale, 44-42.

The Rebels (18-13, 6-2) finished its district schedule with three straight wins, clinching runner-up status behind district titlist John Curtis (8-0 in 9-2A).

Daysha Blount scored 16 to lead Riverside. Lauren Doyle added 10.

Erefaka Derefaka led Haynes with 18.

Riverside led 39-25 entering the fourth quarter. However, wh at seemed to be an easy win became anything but.

The Rebels’ offense began to bog down. Two starters in the frontcourt, Kristy Milioto and Megan Malik, fouled out. And Haynes started to take advantage.

“We lost our focus,” said Riverside coach Chuck Dorvin. “We missed easy shots and our defense slipped. And with Haynes, that’s a scrappy team. They got their act together and played well.”

But while Riverside wouldn’t score a decisive win on the scoreboard, it protected its lead successfully — Haynes would never take the lead.

Riverside led 19-11 after the first quarter and 24-17 at halftime.

Dorvin said that his team was able to built an early lead thanks to strong defense and some transition baskets. Not hurting the Rebels’ cause was that Haynes struggled shooting from the field.

“I thought they might have a tough time, jut based on being not as comfortable as in their own gym,” said Dorvin. “That certainly helped us out.”

Riverside will learn its first round playoff matchup in the upcoming week.