BY DAVID FOLSE II

Sports Editor

It was the kind of win that can go a long way in making the playoffs.

Behind a combined 23 points from Jel Ocmond and Jenna Elfer, the Riverside girls defeated McGehee 45-37 in overtime Friday night in a big district game for both teams.

With the win the Rebels improve to 5-10 on the season, but more importantly 3-2 in 10-2A play.

An excited Riverside head coach Jody LeBlanc said his team has a legitimate shot to make the playoffs.

“What a great victory,” LeBlanc said. “And to come out with an overtime victory is huge.”

LeBlanc was particularly pleased with the way his team was able to handle the adversity that was dealt to them throughout the game.

“We played without our starting point guard,” LeBlanc said. “Then we had another player go down with an injury. Then Jenna suffered an injury at the beginning of the fourth quarter. That’s a lot of adversity to have to deal with.

“Despite all of that, we were able to pressure them (McGehee) well. We really played well on defense. We were very aggressive. We controlled the game and dictated the tempo. That in turn allowed our offense to get points on the fast break.”

Continuing district action yesterday against Redeemer-Seton and Friday at Buras, LeBlanc said his team must continue to protect the ball.

“We need to pick up these two victories,” LeBlanc said. “Hopefully we can surprise a couple of teams. We want to at least finish third in the district for a shot in the post-season.”