Playoffs in Sight for Riverhawks

By Richard Dye · The Mainstream
Published Fubruary 22, 2012

There was no lack of physical contact as the lady Riverhawks buried more than just their talons into the Mt. Hood Saints, in a NWAACC fourth place tie breaker Saturday, Feb. 11.

Unable to assume a commanding lead at the beginning of the game, the ladies quickly stepped up and began to play with more intensity and quickness. Desire to be contenders in the March playoffs became evident as the ladies took care of business.

Player Samantha Thornton explained, “We wanted it more than Mt. Hood.”

Bodies littering the floor were not an uncommon sight throughout the game. Deanna Tupai fought through a tough afternoon as she was forced to the floor nearly every time she pulled down a rebound.

In spite of her fight, Tupai was still smiling after the game.

“We had 29 rebounds all together tonight,” boasted Tupai.

With the team trailing by five at the half and only 6:27 left in the game, Courtney Smith pushed the score to 57-52, completing a crucial three point play after being fouled by her opponent.

Smith showed both her leadership skills and her basketball skills on the court. With the sharp eyesight of a Riverhawk, she continued to direct traffic from the top of the key showing no mercy, sinking one basket after another, assisting the Riverhawk ladies to a 74 to 63 victory over the Saints.

“For a freshman, she gets out of control at times, but she did real well tonight,” said coach Dave Strickland.

The ladies go up against Albany’s Linn Benton College next week in an away game with hope to increase their rankings even farther.

“We already beat them here; we are hoping to continue the streak,” boasted Smith as she cheered on the men’s basketball team after her game.

The win over the Saints secures the team a fourth place slot in the women’s tournament, landing the ladies in a prime position to advance in the NWAACC rankings.

“This was a must win for us because it gives us the inside track; with only two week of league play left we could still move up,” said Strickland.

A long heritage of championship banners can be seen hanging from the walls of the Riverhawk nest. The team encourages students and faculty to be in Albany next Saturday Feb. 19 for the Linn-Benton game.