Feb 16, 2018 2 min read

Lexi Jackson scored 18 points and defensive-minded Gateway throttled Ringgold’s offense and defeated the Rams 39-28 in a Class 5A first-round game Friday night at Baldwin.

Gateway (20-3), which has won 12 in a row, held Ringgold to nine first-half points and 16 through three quarters. Ringgold’s defense, meanwhile, played well enough to win. The Rams trailed by only 17-9 at halftime and were within 27-22 in the fourth quarter after consecutive three-pointers by Johnna Mayer.

Gateway, however, pulled away down the stretch as its zone defense prevented Ringgold from generating enough offense to fuel a comeback.

Jordan Edwards scored 12 points for Gateway, the Section 2 runner-up.

Ringgold’s season ends with a 16-7 record. The Rams were led in scoring by Nya Adams’ nine points that came on three three-point field goals.

Oakland Catholic 63, South Fayette 42: South Fayette had made a habit of deep runs in the girls basketball postseason, but the Lions ran into a strong Oakland Catholic team and were eliminated in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs, 63-42, in a game played at Upper St. Clair.

Oakland Catholic (15-8), the third-place team from Section 2, held South Fayette (12-9) to 16 second-half points and pulled away over the final 16 minutes, sending the Lions to their fifth-consecutive loss.

The teams combined for seven three-point field goals in the first quarter, which ended with Oakland Catholic leading 23-13. South Fayette closed to within 28-26 at halftime but the offense struggled in the second half and the Lions gave up 20 fourth-quarter points.

Jordan Head led a balanced attack for South Fayette with 14 points and Sam Kosmacki had 11.