The Riverdale High School Rams (28-3) defeated the DePaul Prep Rams 41-28 to win the 2A DeKalb Super-sectional Monday evening and earned a trip to the state tournament in Bloomington this weekend.
The game was closer than the final score indicates. A low scoring first half, Riverdale 15, DePaul Prep 14, showcased the defensive talents of each team.
First half turnovers limited DePaul’s shots. Riverdale’s size inside proved a challenge for DePaul. Despite finding openings in Riverdale’s defense, DePaul found it difficult to score.
“I thought defensively we were in pretty good shape. We only gave up 14 in the half,” said Riverdale head coach Jay Hatch who is making his fourth trip to the state tournament but this is the first for Riverdale.
“We weren’t really counting on [DePaul’s Trish Adams] stepping out and hitting 30 footers,” Hatch said.
“Offensively we tried to get some more touches, more ball reversal, more movement,”
“Once we got inside, I think they chose to get out of the zone and we got some options for man-to-man.”
That seemed to be the difference for which DePaul Prep had no answer.
“They were hitting shots and we weren’t. That was pretty much it in the second half,” said DePaul Prep’s 23-year-old first year head coach Sarah Zarymbski (Gordon Tech 2014 graduate).
The score got away from the DePaul with a few minutes left in the game when the Riverdale broke the press for some easy buckets and converted fouls into points at the charity stripe.
Riverdale’s senior center Sidney Garrett lead the Rams with 20 points. DePaul Prep’s senior forward Trish Adams lead the other Rams with 9 points.
In an impressive start to coaching career, Zarymbski lead her Rams to their first sectional championship, in her first year.
“We want to get back here next year. This isn’t enough,” said an emotional Zarymbski. Only losing four seniors players to graduation, DePaul Prep Rams may well be a power in 2A again next year.
Riverdale is located in Port Byron, Illinois, about ten miles northeast of the Quad Cities. Port Byron has a population of 1,647. The IHSA website lists Riverdale enrollment at 327.5
DePaul College Prep, the former Gordon Tech High School, is located at Addison and California in Chicago. Gordon Tech first admitted girls in 2003. These Rams have enjoyed success over the years including five regional championships and an overall record of 217-198.
