Photo by staff photographer Mitsu Yasukawa
River Dell freshman guard Emma Plutnicki made 10 three-pointers in River Dell’s 59-54 win over Dumont Tuesday.
River Dell coach Lindsay Steffner is never going to give Emma Plutnicki the red light. If the freshman has a good look at the basket, Steffner wants her to shoot.
“If she’s open, let it fly,” Steffner said.
On Tuesday, Plutnicki showed why Steffner has such confidence in her.
Plutnicki drained 10 three-pointers in a 32-performance Tuesday, helping No. 25 River Dell beat Dumont, 59-54.
There were 22 three-pointers in the game combined, as the Huskies’ Sarah Skeith made six and Amber Porrett hit five.
But for Plutnicki, this was yet another big performance in a stellar freshman campaign.
On Monday, the guard drained three triples in the Lady Hawks’ 46-39 win over Mahwah in the Bergen County tournament. All three came in the first half. Her third gave River Dell a six-point lead.
After the game, Steffner lauded the freshman. But she said Plutnicki still was capable of more.
“I’m trying to get her to be more comfortable to take some shots,” Steffner said. “It’s just confidence and learning where she can get her shots in our offense.”
Steffner said she wants Plutnicki to keep shooting, even if she misses a few. The Lady Hawks coach knows Plutnicki can always find her shooting stroke again.
She never lost it Tuesday.
“She’s been outstanding for me so far, and I can’t ask for more from a freshman,” Steffner said.