Maplewood Richmond Heights girls basketball met Crossroads Friday at MRH, and sent a message that the blue Devils are a new team, according to coach Erica Anderson.
Crossroads snuck past MRH 40-37. The loss puts the Blue Devils at 2-7 on the season.
More game photos at 40 South News Facebook.
“We’ll see this team again, and they know now that we’re not the same team from last year,” Anderson said. “We are a force to be reckoned with.”
The Blue Devils went up 10 in the first half but slipped to 8 behind in the second half. In the final minutes it was as close as a point.
“We fought to get back into this game, and then certain circumstances, like not finishing plays — basically empty trips — led us to lose this game,” Anderson said, “but all in all, I’m very proud with the way the girls fought.”
Junior Gracie Biedenstein led MRH with 10. Senior Malikah Johnson added eight including 2-for-2 at the free throw line. Senior Kyra Wallace’s textbook break-away layup gave the Blue Devils a boost going into the fourth period; she finished with six.
MRH will play Crossroads again Feb. 4 at Crossroads.
MRH plays Brentwood (7-2) on Jan. 28. That same night the MRH boys (6-3) plays Brentwood (3-3). Both games are at MRH.