Central Christian secured a commanding 68-26 victory over Rittman. After leading 18-8 at the end of the first quarter and extending the margin to 41-18 at halftime, Central Christian maintained their dominance throughout. Silas Coleman led all scorers with 22 points, while Drew Badertscher added 15.
Central Christian Dominates Rittman Behind Saralyn Stjernholm’s Stellar Performance
In a commanding display of defense and shooting, Central Christian cruised to a 37-20 victory over Rittman, led by Saralyn Stjernholm’s impressive 18-point performance.
1st Quarter:
The game began with Stjernholm setting the tone for the Comets, nailing a long mid-range jumper that was just shy of a three-pointer. Rittman struggled to find rhythm, missing their opening shot and turning the ball over repeatedly. Both teams exchanged turnovers early, but Rittman managed to tie the game at 2-2 with five minutes left.
Chavalah Baltzly momentarily gave Rittman the lead by banking in a three-pointer, but Stjernholm responded immediately with her own three, showcasing her dominance. She continued her hot streak, draining another three-pointer to give the Comets a 9-5 lead. Central’s full-court press overwhelmed Rittman, leading to more turnovers and easy opportunities for the Comets. Stjernholm closed the quarter with another deep three, reminiscent of a performance by Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry.
At the end of the first, Central Christian led 18-5, with Stjernholm already scoring 14 points.
2nd Quarter:
Turnovers continued to plague both teams as the second quarter began. Maclaren Fry added to the Comets’ lead with a three-pointer, bringing her total to five points. Freshman Edisa Nabuufu Plants energized the crowd by taking a charge, earning praise from head coach Brock Holmes.
Rittman finally got on the board late in the quarter when Kirsten Reinhardt made a free throw, but that was the Indians’ only point of the period. Central Christian’s defense held strong, limiting Rittman to just six points at the half.
Halftime score: Central Christian 27, Rittman 6.
3rd Quarter:
Rittman’s struggles continued into the second half, as their attempts at long baseball passes frequently ended in turnovers. Stjernholm remained the focal point, maintaining her role as the best player on the court. Rittman showed some fight, with one player physically pushing through for a basket, but offensive consistency remained elusive.
Despite a scrappy quarter, Rittman managed to outscore their total from the first two quarters. Stjernholm extended her tally with a pair of free throws, bringing her total to 18 points.
At the end of the third, Central Christian maintained control, leading 33-14.
4th Quarter and Final:
The final period saw Central Christian solidify their dominance, with both teams trading possessions but little offensive production from Rittman. The Comets’ defensive intensity never waned, ensuring they stayed in control.
In the end, Central Christian secured a 37-20 victory, powered by Stjernholm’s game-high 18 points and a suffocating defense that held Rittman to single-digit scoring in three quarters.
Central Christian downs WCAL opponent Chippewa at home, 3-1, in a thrilling four-set match! The fourth set featured an incredible comeback as Central rallied in the 4th set .
Set Scores:
Central 25, Chippewa 23
Central 25, Chippewa 17
Chippewa 25, Central 17
Central 25, Chippewa 20
Coach Karmen Miller:
"We’ve been on the road a lot lately, so it felt great to be back in our gym, find our rhythm, and battle through having some players out sick. It’s exciting to have Sarah Miller back, and seeing Sommer Shue and Ellie Rohr find their place was great. It was an all-out group effort, and I’m very proud of them!"