Ridgewood gets more offensive

With the loss of 6-foot-8 Lukas Poderis and 6-4 Bryan Jones to graduation, Ridgewood coach Gary Anders expected this year's squad to be more of a perimeter team.

Throughout the summer and preseason, that's exactly what the Rams were - and they were doing it well. But something happened when the season started and they couldn't make the shots that were going through the net in the offseason.

"Starting about midsummer, we made some adjustments offensively and it was very perimeter-oriented," Anders said following the Rams' 75-63 win against Hudson in Class 4A-District 7 play Tuesday. "In the offseason, we shot the ball very well so it looked like everything was hunky-dory. Then we started the season and we were taking those same shots but they weren't going in.

"The last week to week-and-a-half, we're doing the same stuff but now we're saying we've got to get to the basket. Our offense is much better."

The result has been three consecutive 4A-7 wins (against Gulf, Mitchell and Hudson) and first place in the district. Saturday, the Rams - along with Land O' Lakes - will participate in the Brinkley Memorial Tournament at Citra North Marion. Ridgewood faces undefeated 3A-5 Williston at 2 p.m., and Land O' Lakes plays Ocala West Port at 3:30.

Charles Jones and Jacob Rauh are the only returning starters from last year's 5A regional finalist team. Jones is averaging about 25 points a game, according to Anders, and has to take a bigger role this season.

"He was a role player (last season) but a lot of games he was the X-factor," Anders said. "This year he has to step up and take a huge role. They've taken quite a bit on their backs and they've done a good job. Rauh scores for us. He's also our point guard. We've put a lot on them and they've responded."

Mustangs still lacking defense

Though Tuesday's 74-67 win against Wesley Chapel was key for Mitchell in 4A-7, Mustangs coach Jared St. Charles was hardly satisfied. He compared Mitchell's defensive effort with that in its 80-70 loss to Ridgewood last week.

"Not any better. The defense is struggling," said St. Charles, who planned to devote practices Wednesday and Thursday to defense. "I'm very disappointed. If we expect to win any big games, we have to get better defensively. Right now we're not making any smart plays, not boxing out, a lot of non-fundamental things.

"They just keep going for steals, and while I want them to be aggressive, we have to play positional defense, too. Too many easy baskets."

On the bright side, Mitchell's offense seems more diversified than ever. Though they struggled on the inside against Ridgewood, the Mustangs showed they could score at will in the paint Tuesday against the Wildcats. Tony Makdessi, Jake Driscoll and Billy Knudsen led the parade of big men who made easy layup after easy layup. Chad Jeckel and Dustin Hannel provided the jump-shooting threat.

On a roll

After dropping its season opener to Leto in its own Beef O'Brady's Thanksgiving tournament, River Ridge has reeled off four consecutive wins and boasted a 4-1 overall record prior to Thursday's game against Pasco. River Ridge was 1-0 in 4A-8 play.

But the Royal Knights' schedule gets a bit tougher as they host undefeated Lecanto tonight and travel to Wiregrass Ranch on Tuesday before hosting Anclote in a Coaches vs. Cancer game Thursday. All donations collected will be given to the American Cancer Society.

Adam Childs leads the Royal Knights in scoring (17.5 points per game) and rebounding (7.8 per game).