By Michael Adams
madams@onthesidelinessports.com

ROUND ROCK – Three of the four playoff tickets for District 25-6A were handed out Tuesday night.

Cedar Ridge (18-9, 9-3) claimed one of them with a 44-34 win over a Stony Point team that had won five straight prior to the home contest between the two rivals.

For Stony Point (21-9, 6-6), Friday’s win over Round Rock keeps the Lady Tigers in the playoff hunt with two games left in the 2023-24 Texas high school girls basketball regular season.

But Tuesday’s loss leaves little room for error.

The Lady Dragons hold a two-game lead for that final playoff spot from the district. Stony Point will have to win Friday at first-place Vista Ridge, who can clinch the district championship with a win, and next Tuesday’s home game against last-place Westwood.

The Lady Tigers will also need some help from Vandegrift and McNeil. If Round Rock wins just one of those games, the Lady Dragons are in the playoffs regardless of whether Stony Point wins out.

As for Tuesday, the Lady Raiders got a big night from senior Janiyah Alverez.

The power forward scored 9 of her game-high 12 points in the second half to help the Cedar Ridge pull away. Five of her points came in a 16-point fourth quarter for the Lady Raiders.

Senior guard Kelly Ufodiama scored eight points and Mikah Johnson finished with six. Johnson’s points came in the first quarter on back-to-back three-pointers in the early minutes.

Free-throw shooting played a critical role in the outcome. Both teams combined for 62 free throw attempts, with each taking 31. Cedar Ridge made six more than the Lady Tigers, who shot 41% from the free-throw line.

Behind Mary and Matilda Bortels, Stony Point was able to keep it close for the first three frames. Mary Bortles led the Lady Tigers with nine points, while Matilda added six. Alivia Wright, who hit the game winning shot on Friday against Round Rock finished the night with six points.

Up next

Cedar Ridge vs. Manor, 7 p.m., Friday

Stony Point at Vista Ridge, 7 p.m., Friday

Box Score

Cedar Ridge 44, Stony point 34	1	2	3	4
Cedar Ridge	9	7	12	16
Stony Point	8	6	11	9