River Ridge outlasts Leesburg to reach states for the first time

The Royal Knights relied on an explosive fourth quarter to pull away

NEW PORT RICHEY, FLORIDA- Over the last 15 years at River Ridge High School, Joeyn Dearsman has been building the girls basketball program. 

First taking over the Royal Knights back in the 2009-2010 season, the dream has always been to make a trip to Lakeland. The dream turned into reality on Thursday night at Jim Valentine Athletic Complex. 

River Ridge’s Lauren Lee scored seven straight points to start the final period, helping lift the Royal Knights to a 61-46 victory over visiting Leesburg in a Class 5A, Region 2 final. 

CLASS 5A-REGION 2: @RRHSgirlsbball 61, @bostonHEY22 46, FINAL.

The Royal Knights reach the state Final Four for the first time in school history. @SBLiveSports @SBLiveFL @PascoCountyFB @PascoCoSports @rrhsknights @RRHSPurplePosse @RRGirlsWts

— Andy Villamarzo (@Andy_Villamarzo) February 23, 2024

For the first time in program history, the Royal Knights will be making the state’s final four and the moment couldn’t have been any sweeter for Dearsman. 

“It wasn’t how we wanted the game to start, but we were prepared for that,” Dearsman said. “We knew that (Leesburg) is really fast, really aggressive, really athletic. Our whole theme this season has been overcome adversity. Just play through, it’s a game of runs.” 

The first run of the game belonged to Leesburg (24-2), who is coached by Sean Campbell, the school’s boys basketball coach. Leesburg opened up the game with a ton of momentum, leading 13-2 at one point. 

Overcoming the early adversity was something River Ridge (25-5) had to do and they clawed its way back to cut the game down to 16-9 by the end of the first period. 

Depth for the Yellow Jackets seemed to play a factor in the game, with Campbell relying heavily on forward Saige McCloud (16 points) and sister duo of Aniya and Ariyana Hester, whom each scored 12 points. 

River Ridge took its first lead of the game midway through the second quarter when sophomore center Lexi Wade (14 points) knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Royal Knights ahead 22-20. 

The Royal Knights had the edge when it came to depth off the bench, with Dearsman able to play three different players off the bench. The battle of attrition came to a head in the second half when foul trouble came into play. 

Four lead changes occurred in the third quarter, with both teams jostling heading into the final quarter. Thats when Lee (20 points) came in as the difference maker. 

The junior forward scored the first seven points of the final frame, knocking down a couple short jumpers and a 3-pointer to put River Ridge ahead 49-40. There wouldn’t be another lead change the rest of the way. 

Lee and company kept it coming the rest of the way, eventually being able to cut down the nets after the game concluded. Being apart of school history is something Lee said was exciting to be apart of. 

“It’s amazing. It’s the best feeling ever,” Lee said about being apart of program history. 

River Ridge will face off against Mainland, a winner against Pensacola Booker T. Washington, in the Class 5A state semifinals. 

(Photo credit: Mike Carlson, River Ridge) 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl