RESERVE – The Riverside Lady Rebel basketball team came within a hair of winning their season opening game this week as they were down by only two with 50 seconds to go, before Ascension Catholic pulled away for a 37-29 victory.

Starting the new season under second year head coach Jody LeBlanc, the Rebels were in the game from start to finish against the visitors before letting the win slip away in the final seconds.

“I thought it was a good game for our first one,” LeBlanc said. “We certainly had a chance to win it, but we are still a little young in maturity and the girls will have to learn how to win the close ones like this.”

Riverside is coming off a 7-20 year when they had to play completely away from home due to the tornado that had destroyed the gym. But now with their home floor to practice and play on again, LeBlanc is optimistic about a much improved year.

“I expect a lot from this group,” he said. “I think we have a shot to make the top three in the district and make the playoffs.”

In the game this week, Jena Elfer led the club with 10 points, while Kayla Perret had eight and Christie Englade added five.