River Ridge kept pace with one of the top-ranked teams of Class AAAA on Wednesday, but it eventually fell to South Atlanta 60-56 on the road in the first round of the state playoffs.

The fourth-seeded Knights (12-17) trailed by 11 entering the fourth quarter, but closed the gap with some strong shooting down the stretch.

River Ridge coach Matt Bohon said he doesn’t believe in moral victories, but if he did, Wednesday’s game would count.

“We stayed right with them, to be honest,” he said. “I could not have been more pleased. Our kids played with little or no fear the whole game. They really battled from the opening tip to the last whistle. I could not have been more proud of them.”

Ty Suwalski and Steven Spears led the Knights with 14 points each. Jon Karlin added 12 points and seven rebounds, while James Smith finished with 10. Spears led the team with eight rebounds.

River Ridge will return nine of its 13 players next season as it looks to build off the most successful year of its young history.

“We will miss our seniors,” Bohon said, “but we are excited about what next year holds.”

BOYS LACROSSE

Late Tuesday

Etowah 14, Hillgrove 3: Up 4-2 at the half, the Eagles broke free for a big win in their season-opening game.

Blake Charitat led Etowah (1-0) with four goals. Sean Smart added two, while Daniel Zimny had three assists.

The defense, led by Sam Rubin, Seamus Smart and Hayden Armistead, limited Hillgrove to just 15 shots on goal.

Rubin had four takeaways and four groundballs, while Smart and Chris Orr each had four groundballs. Will Sheridan and Matt McCarthy split time in goal.