Sophie Cunningham attempts a running jumper against Liberty in the Class 5 final
Sophie Cunningham, Cierra Porter, and Carly Offerdahl complete their high school careers as state champions, just as they started. A four-peat for the Rock Bridge Bruins girls basketball team to conclude the 2015 Show Me Showdown with a 49-35 win over the Liberty Blue Jays.
The Bruins never got comfortable in this game as Liberty hung tough the whole way, turning a six point first quarter deficit into a 22-18 lead.
Rock Bridge was down 28-24, when the Bruins went on an 8-0 run to build a 32-28 lead. Sophie Cunningham got aggressive on the offensive boards and Carly Offerdahl knocked down a couple of jumpers after the Bruins shot percentage dipped below 35% at one point.
Sidney Offield hit two free throws to end the Rock Bridge run and bring the third quarter to an end at 32-20 in favor of the Bruins.
Cierra Porter, having a relatively quiet night and content with finding open teammates, got a shot to roll around and drop. She completed the three point play and Rock Bridge opened a five point lead at 37-32 with 4:40 to play, their largest lead since they were up by six late in the first.
Fleming came back down the floor and hit a three-pointer, but Bri Ellis answered for the Bruins to keep the lead at five at the 3:33 mark. Porter came up big in the fourth, scoring seven after scoring just five in the first three quarters.
Listen to Rock Bridge coach Jill Nagel, Cunningham and Porter