‘I needed to believe in myself’: Garrido’s clutch free throws push Lady Warriors past Byrnes
Madison Garrido (right) hit three clutch free-throws in the final minute to power Riverside to a tight victory at Byrnes.
Take one breath, one dribble, and imagine the basketball going straight through the hoop.
That’s Riverside point guard Madison Garrido’s tried and true free-throw routine.
Against Byrnes on Dec. 7, she needed that routine to work more than ever.
With the Lady Warriors trailing 63-62 and just 20 seconds remaining, Garrido attempted a three-pointer from the left wing. The shot missed wildly, but only because Garrido’s arm was hacked by a Lady Rebel on the attempt.
She’d go to the line to attempt three free throws and try to give her Lady Warriors the lead.
“I knew I needed to believe in myself,” said Garrido. “I went through my routine and told myself, ‘I’m going to make these for my team and make sure we get this win.’”
Garrido stepped to the line and took her three shots. Nothing but net. All three of them.
Garrido’s composure helped Riverside (5-2) edge out a 67-63 away win over a talented Byrnes (4-2) squad.
“It’s funny because in previous seasons, I’ve really struggled with my free throws,” said Garrido. “But that was something I told myself I’d work on more in practice this year. And this season, I’ve started making most of them.”
“We practice free throws all the time, and when they really matter, that’s when they need to fall,” said Riverside head coach Brianne Jones. “Madison stayed composed in that moment and did a great job.”
Garrido, with her 22 points, led Riverside in scoring as well. The junior point guard—who didn’t start a game until this season—was thrust into the lineup after an injury to Riverside’s original starting point guard, senior Hannah Halt.
“Madison has doubled as a player this year. She’s stepped up for us in a big way when we’ve needed it,” said Jones. “She’s accepted this challenge that’s come her way and is pushing hard. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
Riverside also received a crucial performance from sophomore forward Sophia Powell. Powell dominated the offensive glass to give the Warriors several second-chance opportunities. She came down with nine boards—four on the offensive end—and put up 11 points in the win.
“When Byrnes had gone on a bit of a run, and the rest of the girls were kind of down on themselves, Sophia kept pushing,” said Jones.
“She worked hard in transition and got all the offensive and defensive rebounds. She was a pivotal player for sure.”
Through seven games, the Lady Warriors have only lost two—both of which came to defending 5-A state champion Mauldin. They’ve got wins over 2-A power Andrew Jackson, First Baptist, and now Byrnes to boast.
“These girls are working hard and trying to prove who they are,” said Jones. “And they’re coming out on top. I’m proud of them.”
THE SCORE BY QUARTERS
Riverside 11 13 31 12 - 67
Byrnes 18 14 19 12 - 63
STAT LEADERS
Riverside
Madison Garrido - 22 pts, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 7 steals
Kyndal Haroski - 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals
Sophia Powell - 11 points, 9 rebounds
Elly Trickett - 11 points, 3 rebounds
Miah Johnson - 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Byrnes
Te’Ericka Dowling - 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Chassidy Rookard - 21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals