Last week was monumental for the Ashley Ridge boys’ basketball team.
The Swamp Foxes didn’t win all their games, but the victories they did earn were big. Ashley Ridge opened the week Jan. 26 by earning the first victory in the program’s history over Garrett Tech. On Jan. 29, the Foxes dropped a close game with Woodland, but they rebounded the next night to earn the program’s first win over a 4-A opponent when they downed Stratford 74-52.
“Coming off a huge region win against a very disciplined and well-coached Bishop England team, we guarded heavily against our kids falling into complacency,” Ashley Ridge coach Brian Welch said. “We got right back to work the next day for a very tough and competitive Saturday-morning practice to begin preparing for Garrett and it paid off. That Friday was a special night for our program. Our Ridge Rowdies showed up in droves decked out in their t-shirts and we set an Ashley Ridge record for attendance. After we won, the kids stormed the floor.”
With the win over Stratford, the Foxes improved to 9-10 with a 3-3 mark in Region 6-AA, which shows how far the team has come since last year, when the Foxes finished at 2-16 with both victories over fellow first-year school Cane Bay.
This season, the Foxes remain alive in the hunt for a playoff berth, though with its second loss to Woodland on Jan. 29 a home playoff game seems unlikely.
“Our young program continues to grow and improve,” Welch said. “Our kids have a resilient, never-satisfied mentality and a real blue-collar approach to practice.”
Romelo Doctor led the charge against the Knights, scoring 21 points. Khalil Davis finished with 12 points while Andrew Kolgaklis added 12 and Tre Deloach 10.
Brant Sally led Stratford with 21 points and Brandon Hester added 14 for the Knights.
The Ashley Ridge girls didn’t have such a good week. The Lady Swamp Foxes dropped all three of their games, capping the week with a 37-47 loss to Stratford.
Tiffany Addison posted a game-high 29 points for Stratford. Ashley Ridge was led by Brianna Boyd and Ericka Millen, who both had 11 points.
The Lady Swamp Foxes fell to 6-10 with a 0-6 mark in the region with the loss.

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.