The Riverside girls basketball team went on the road to race its first serious test of the season Wednesday night and made a positive impression on coach Jack Mekilo.

“I’m so proud of my kids,” Mekilo said after a 54-43 victory at Jim Thorpe, a 23-win team and state tournament qualifier in Class 4A last season. “They showed their toughness down the stretch against a really good 4A team.

“For us to be able to go on the road and win at that place shows what we’re capable of.”

Kylie Lavelle scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, made 3 steals and blocked 2 shots to lead the Lady Vikes, who improved to 3-0 after landing in the top spot among Small School girls teams in the preseason My City Mortgage Super Six Power Rankings of District 2 teams.

“There were some really good players on the floor for both teams tonight and there’s Kylie just willing her way to another big game,” Mekilo said. “She’s just going to another level.

“It’s just fun to watch and coach.”

Lavelle, a returning first-team, all-state selection who, as a junior, is already committed to a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I scholarship from Drexel University, got help two of Riverside’s veteran seniors.

Kayla Rose had 12 points and 8 rebounds. She scored six points in the fourth quarter and finished 6-for-9 from the line.

“Kayla Rose delivered for us tonight in the fourth quarter when we needed it most,” Mekilo said. “She can handle the ball in our delay game against other bigs and she nailed the game down at the free throw line, which was great to see.”

Emily Taylor added 11 points.

Taylor made three 3-pointers, including two in the first quarter to get the Lady Vikes out to a 16-10 lead against the defending Schuylkill League Division 1 champions.

Lavelle had eight points in the first quarter, then eight more in the third when Riverside extended its 25-18 halftime lead to 42-31.

Leila Hurley hit five 3-pointers while leading Jim Thorpe with 18 points. Leah Snisky added 11.

Riverside held Skyler Searfoss, who scored 952 points in her first two high school seasons, including 39 in a Schuylkill League playoff game last season, to just 10 points.

Tunkhannock 57, Delaware Valley 25

Tunkhannock won easily at home in the non-league game, which was the opener for both teams.

Alaina Ritz led three double figures scorers with 14 points.

Lexi Corby added 12 and Hailey Long had 10.

The Lady Tigers led 29-13 at halftime and 50-18 after three quarters.