Jaguars dominate Ringgold on senior night

By Jose Negron

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Thomas Jefferson took its first and only lead of the game less than a minute in and never looked back in a 58-16 senior night win over Ringgold in Section 3-5A play Thursday. 

Despite not having a player in double figures, the Jaguars (9-6, 7-1) were led by a balanced offensive attack. Graci Fairman, Maddy Trainer and Lexi Dadig each scored a game-high nine points, while Delaney Concannon added eight off the bench. 

“That’s really what makes a team, when you’ve got kids that are scoring from all over the place, inside and outside,” TJ head coach Lisa Fairman said. “When you’ve got that balance, things usually end up in a very successful night.” 

The Rams (2-7, 2-6), who are rebuilding under first-year head coach Matt Regula, struggled to score throughout the night. 

Ringgold was limited to just seven points in the first half and nine in the second. Kirra Gerard scored all seven of her points in the opening 16 minutes, while Jada Cathers scored four of the Rams’ second-half points.

Though the Rams didn’t get their desired result, a few positives were evident for the visitors, including the constant hustle and never-give-up attitude that was on display against the section’s second-place team.

“We’re a younger team and with everything going on with COVID-19, it’s made it even worse on our preparation,” Regula said. “Right now, were trying to work a lot of people in and figure out who can play well together. It’s all still a work in progress.” 

Thomas Jefferson wasted little time building a large lead as it went up 10-2 within the first three minutes before a timeout by Ringgold. 

The Rams cut their deficit to 10-5 following a 3-pointer by Gerard, but the Jaguars finished the first quarter on a 13-0 run to take a 23-5 edge after eight minutes. TJ hit six of its seven 3-pointers in the opening frame, including four during its late spurt. Dadig converted on three shots from beyond the arc. 

“You can’t simulate the way that team is coached, the fundamentals they have and how well they play as a team and as a unit,” Regula said of TJ. “That’s really what we’re striving to be.” 

Gerard scored Ringgold’s lone second-quarter points from the free throw line, while Concannon scored eight of TJ’s 17 points in the frame to help extend the lead to 40-7 by halftime. 

“I’m really looking for Delaney to do that consistently and she has the ability to do it,” Fairman said. “She’s another threat that we have and she’s really starting to come into her own.” 

With the running clock in effect, TJ outscored Ringgold by an 18-9 margin in the second half. Gabby Breisinger came off the bench and scored four of her six points in the second half, while Laekyn Flinn added four of her own. 

All four of TJ’s seniors – Trainer, Dadig, Jera Esper and Cindy Oberio – started and scored at least a bucket in the victory. 

Thomas Jefferson returns to action for a non-section bout with Peters Township Monday, while Ringgold travels to Connellsville for a section contest.