FREDERICK -- Frederick's Alisha Casados was able to step on the basketball court for the first time in more than two months Monday night. What's more, she scored her team's first two points -- an uncontested layup -- as the Warriors closed out their basketball history in their present gym with a 44-37 win against Sterling.
Casados, a senior point guard, tore her ACL in the first quarter of the first game of the season and hasn't played since. After she made her basket, Casados left the floor to an ovation from her teammates, the audience, the Sterling players and the game officials.
Frederick won the game thanks to a stingy second-half defense. The Warriors held Sterling to just six points in the third quarter and 15 for the half. Erica Artis, who assumed a larger role than she was expecting this season, came off the bench to lead Frederick with 14 points. Mikayla Bragalone, who had her share of injuries in high school, was next with 11.
Sterling's Tyler Chrisman led all scorers with 20 points. She was the only Tigers' player to reach double figures.
Frederick wraps up the regular season with road game against Windsor Feb. 14 and Roosevelt Feb. 16. Tip times for each are at 7 p.m.
The state 4A basketball pairings are to be released Sunday afternoon. The first 4A girls game would be Feb. 22.