It was a home sendoff deserving of the winningest Lady Dragons in the history of the program — 80 wins in four years as starters, three District 10 championships and 2,789 combined points scored.

“I pulled them before the timeout,” said 14-year Warren coach Lisa LaVan, “and then called the timeout to let it last longer.”

Ruhlman finishes second all-time at Warren with 1,448 points to go along with nearly 900 rebounds. Childress ends her Dragon career with 1,341 points.

“No. 2 and No. 5 on the all-time scoring list, and that is just their scoring,” said LaVan.

Warren senior Emma Ruhlman tries to weave her way between two Oakland Catholic defenders on Wednesday in a 58-36 PIAA 5A first-round playoff loss at Warren Area High School. Times Observer Photo by Cody Elms

“Riley has run my point for the last four years,” she said. “She did a great job always controlling the tempo and always taking care of running the offense. Her defense will always be remembered as one of the best around.

“Emma, at one point or another throughout her career, has played every position on the court for us,” said LaVan. “She has been a leader from day one and I think that is what we will miss the most. We will absolutely miss her tenacity, toughness and the pure joy in how she played the game.”

Ruhlman led the Dragons with 22 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday, finishing 10 of 11 at the free throw line. It was her 15th double-double of the season for the 19-7 Lady Dragons.

Ruhlman scored five of Warren’s seven first-quarter points (assisting on the other bucket), and eight of the Dragons’ 14 by halftime. By that point, Pittsburgh’s Oakland Catholic (15-10) — the No. 6 seed out of District 7 (WPIAL) — had built a 28-14 lead.

“Oakland Catholic is a very good team,” said LaVan. “They play with great speed and athletic ability.”

The Joseph A. Massa Gymnasium at Warren Area High School was packed and loud for the 7 p.m. start and the Dragons led 5-0 to start the game. Before you knew it, it was 7-5 Oakland Catholic. Ruhlman hit two free throws to tie the score before the visiting Eagles went on a 10-0 run.

“I want to thank our parents, the community, our school, and the amazing Flannel Panel (student section),” said LaVan, whose Dragons were able to experience a District 10 title game at WAHS last season, defeating Slippery Rock in a 40-39 thriller. “It was so awesome for our girls to experience that type of an atmosphere at home.”

Halena Hill connected on five 3-pointers for Oakland Catholic, and finished with a team-high 19 points.

Alexa Washington added 12 points, including a 3-pointer in the third quarter that gave the Eagles a 40-16 lead.

Jordan Ingelido added 11 points for Oakland Catholic, which will next face McKeesport on Saturday in the second round.

“We cannot hang our heads. The better team won,” said LaVan. “Another amazing season and it ended against a team that has a strong winning tradition.”

For Ruhlman and Childress, they will continue playing at the next level — Emma at Division II Hillsdale College in Michigan, and Riley at Division II Roberts Wesleyan.

“Absolutely unbelievable what these two young ladies have done in their career,” said LaVan. “I am also very proud of this team — all 14 of them, and what they did this season. There was a lot of pressure on them all season to repeat. … And to do it was pretty phenomenal.

“What some people forget is that we started two sophomores, a junior, and our first three off the bench were freshmen,” added LaVan, who will be left with her younger two daughters — Sammie, a sophomore who scored 8 points on Wednesday, and Gracie, a junior starter. Halle Kuzminski is also a sophomore starter. “Riley and Emma passed the torch and the next group is going to step up and lead this great program. Tradition doesn’t graduate.”

OAKLAND CATHOLIC (58)

Ingelido 4 2-2 11, Troxler-Scott 0 0-0 0, Turner 1 0-0 2, Haver 2 0-0 5, Hintemeyer 1 0-0 3, Schorr 3 0-0 6, Washington 4 3-4 12, Hill 7 0-0 19, Watkins 0 0-0 0, Gallo 0 0-0 0, Sweeny 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 5-6 58.

WARREN (36)

SRuhlman 3 2-2 8, Kuzminski 1 0-0 2, Farr 0 0-0 0, Childress 0 2-4 2, Stuart 0 0-0 0, Madigan 0 0-0 0, ERuhlman 5 10-11 22, GRuhlman 1 0-0 2, Foster 0 0-0 0, Braune 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 14-17 36.

3-point goals–Ingelido, Haver, Hintemeyer, Washington, Hill 5, ERuhlman 2.

Oakland Catholic 15 13 19 11 — 58

Warren 7 7 11 11 — 36