Pride open with a win

GREENVILLE — Considered by Riverheads coach Dickie Bell as the quiet leader on the team, junior Brittany Heizer was definitely not quiet during her opening game against Parry McCluer on Tuesday night in Greenville. Heizer and the Gladiators beat the Fighting Blues 44-34 in the team’s season opener.

“I wish I could have rebounded more,” Heizer said. “I’m happy with the way we played tonight. I think we started to get tired towards the end but were able to get the win.”

The Gladiators muscled the ball away from the Fighting Blues in first half going into the locker room 30-19.  Heizer put pressure on McCluer early on with 11 points in the first two quarters along with Rebecca Grubb and senior Hayley Morris.

The Gladiators had some jitters. They were worried about their defense during the preseason, but the visiting team could not pass through the Pride’s screens or speed.

They did not look like they were concerned on the court.

“We were concerned about our defense during some of our scrimmage games,” Bell said. “But our practices have paid off.

Having a veteran like Heizer did not hurt.

“She is our foundation. When she does something, the rest of the team follows,” Bell said. “She is a quiet and good leader.”

The Fighting Blues fought their way out of what could have been a blow out game. They added seven points in the third quarter — four of those points came from McClure’s Kelsey Cole. McCluer ended the third quarter behind 32-22, but the rally came up short. McCluer added eight more points in the fourth quarter, but the Gladiators although tired, offensively stopped the Fighting Blues on the floor.

“We played a good game tonight,” Bell said. “Our players did well coming off the bench. I’m happy about our performance.” Riverheads (1-0, 0-0 Shenandoah Valley) will take on Stuarts Draft Wednesday night at home.

For Heizer, it was a victory for everyone.

“We’ve had a lot of players that returned this year and that has helped us,” Heizer said.