BOYS BB: (2A) R E Lee - Staunton 68 (1A) Riverheads 66 - FINAL
- Thread starter pizzzzza
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You guys should never again pay any attention to me. After all I am the one who has said twice already this season that Lee would not only win the Shenandoah but that they would go unbeaten in league play. Well they may very well do just that, but if they do, they will certainly look back on this one as the one they almost allowed to slip away. I cannot emphasize enough how hard the Gladiators tried to pull off this upset and the intensity they played with was probably the most we have seen out of a Riverheads team in years. I personally think they were so inspired by the prospect of playing the defending state champs that it made them play that much harder to the point that they almost played above their abilities at times.
Lee of course won the game so let's not lose sight of that, and the duo of Vaughan and Williams led the way as expected. However, and this was a significant subplot of this game, both were in serious foul trouble throughout the contest and Vaughan in fact did foul out, as this was one of the most tightly officiated games I have ever seen. There were the usual howls over individual calls but for the most part I thought it was officiated consistently.
Ordinarily a tightly-called game is going to favor the deeper team. In this case that would certainly be Lee, but despite their 15-9 roster advantage, not to mention their huge size advantage, it was actually the Gladiators who had the most key players on the floor heading down the stretch which gave them the chance to pull the upset.
We got an early clue to the refs' mindset as Vaughan drew two fouls against the Big Red inside in the first 30 seconds of the game. That gave the Leemen the early lead but it soon became apparent that the Gladiators came to play and had no intention of backing down. The first quarter ended with Lee on top 18-12.
Vaughan got his second foul by the end of the first quarter and Williams was whistled for his second in the opening minute of the second quarter, putting both on the bench momentarily. The Gladiators took advantage and briefly took their one and only lead of the game at 26-25 before Lee closed on an 8-1 run to take a 33-27 lead at the break.
At that point, most fans in attendance, including yours truly, assumed that the smaller Gladiators being forced into major minutes in such a fast-paced game would wear down in the second half and that Lee would be able to pull away. For the first few minutes of the third quarter, that appeared to be exactly what was about to happen as Williams led a key 9-3 spurt that gave Lee its first double digit lead of the game.
But instead of wilting, Riverheads hung in there and stayed within striking distance. They had it down to 6 or 8 several times and each time they appeared ready to make a move, Lee would hit a key shot to move it back up to double digits. Lee's largest lead was 13 and the quarter ended 56-46.
Riverheads got its second wind however, inspired primarily by point guard Elijah Dunlap, as he stroked three triples to keep the Big Red in the game. From my vantage point, I thought he hit a fourth one but it was only ruled a two. The Gladiators then suffered a blow when leading scorer Grant Painter (more on him later) fouled out at the four-minute mark.
But instead of that being the beginning of the end for the visitors, if anything it inspired them to play harder and shortly after Painter's departure, Fulton executed a brilliant pump fake to get the fifth foul on Vaughan, who did not come very far from getting a T protesting the call. With him out, the Gladiators were able to cut into the lead as Williams took on the burden of saving the game.
The final minute or so was frantic with Lee ahead 67-61 at one point and you would have assumed that RHS would have to foul and that it would become one of those games where the final did not really reflect the game. But instead, Lee missed a couple charity shots, committed a turnover or two, and Riverheads had its chances, first cutting the lead down to just one at 67-66 and then having the chance to win it at the horn after Williams missed one of a two-shot foul. I personally didn't think Fulton's desperation shot came as close as some of the other posters described, but in all that excitement who could say for sure?
Speaking of excitement, I was glad to finally see a game that had the kind of atmosphere high school basketball is supposed to have. Riverheads' first four games (they entered tonight 3-1) had all been 20 point games so having one like this that the crowd could get into was very refreshing.
I assume that Vaughan and Williams led the scoring for the Leemen. If they had any other heroes I could not tell you who because some Riverheads rascal stole my cottonpicking program before the game even started. (I'm watching youuuuu!)
But on the RHS side, I can MOST DEFINITELY tell you that they were led by their three already-mentioned sophomores...Painter, Fulton and Dunlap. Painter, who set a new three-point record Wednesday night against Luray, only had one of those tonight, but still led the scoring with 22 and is now averaging about 21 a game. Fulton hit for 18 tonight, just a shade under his average, and Dunlap had 15. I would have to research to see if that is a career high for him, because he is normally the distributor but he does have a great stroke when he chooses to use it. And did I mention that all three of them are only sophomores!!!
So, even though Lee got the victory, this was an awesome effort by the Gladiators for an away game against the defending state champs. Let's just hope it was not a one-time only effort and that they can match this intensity the rest of the season. The re-match in Greenville takes place on January 30th and who knows by that time, it could very well impact the district title. Mark that date on your calendars!
In JV action, the Leemen did not have the size advantage we would see in the varsity game but they too had depth out the wazoo, not to mention the quickest and surest hands of any team I have ever seen. It took them the first quarter to get going but once they did, they pulled away from the Baby Gladiators 70-33 and for the first time I can recall, we saw a running clock in basketball. I believe the new rule is a 30 point lead at any point in the fourth quarter but don't quote me on that.
The Gladiators have a wild week between the two holidays as they host Parry McCluer on Wednesday, and then face Stuarts Draft and Wilson on the road Friday and Saturday. Based on what we saw tonight, I have a hunch they will be up to those challenges!
Lee of course won the game so let's not lose sight of that, and the duo of Vaughan and Williams led the way as expected. However, and this was a significant subplot of this game, both were in serious foul trouble throughout the contest and Vaughan in fact did foul out, as this was one of the most tightly officiated games I have ever seen. There were the usual howls over individual calls but for the most part I thought it was officiated consistently.
Ordinarily a tightly-called game is going to favor the deeper team. In this case that would certainly be Lee, but despite their 15-9 roster advantage, not to mention their huge size advantage, it was actually the Gladiators who had the most key players on the floor heading down the stretch which gave them the chance to pull the upset.
We got an early clue to the refs' mindset as Vaughan drew two fouls against the Big Red inside in the first 30 seconds of the game. That gave the Leemen the early lead but it soon became apparent that the Gladiators came to play and had no intention of backing down. The first quarter ended with Lee on top 18-12.
Vaughan got his second foul by the end of the first quarter and Williams was whistled for his second in the opening minute of the second quarter, putting both on the bench momentarily. The Gladiators took advantage and briefly took their one and only lead of the game at 26-25 before Lee closed on an 8-1 run to take a 33-27 lead at the break.
At that point, most fans in attendance, including yours truly, assumed that the smaller Gladiators being forced into major minutes in such a fast-paced game would wear down in the second half and that Lee would be able to pull away. For the first few minutes of the third quarter, that appeared to be exactly what was about to happen as Williams led a key 9-3 spurt that gave Lee its first double digit lead of the game.
But instead of wilting, Riverheads hung in there and stayed within striking distance. They had it down to 6 or 8 several times and each time they appeared ready to make a move, Lee would hit a key shot to move it back up to double digits. Lee's largest lead was 13 and the quarter ended 56-46.
Riverheads got its second wind however, inspired primarily by point guard Elijah Dunlap, as he stroked three triples to keep the Big Red in the game. From my vantage point, I thought he hit a fourth one but it was only ruled a two. The Gladiators then suffered a blow when leading scorer Grant Painter (more on him later) fouled out at the four-minute mark.
But instead of that being the beginning of the end for the visitors, if anything it inspired them to play harder and shortly after Painter's departure, Fulton executed a brilliant pump fake to get the fifth foul on Vaughan, who did not come very far from getting a T protesting the call. With him out, the Gladiators were able to cut into the lead as Williams took on the burden of saving the game.
The final minute or so was frantic with Lee ahead 67-61 at one point and you would have assumed that RHS would have to foul and that it would become one of those games where the final did not really reflect the game. But instead, Lee missed a couple charity shots, committed a turnover or two, and Riverheads had its chances, first cutting the lead down to just one at 67-66 and then having the chance to win it at the horn after Williams missed one of a two-shot foul. I personally didn't think Fulton's desperation shot came as close as some of the other posters described, but in all that excitement who could say for sure?
Speaking of excitement, I was glad to finally see a game that had the kind of atmosphere high school basketball is supposed to have. Riverheads' first four games (they entered tonight 3-1) had all been 20 point games so having one like this that the crowd could get into was very refreshing.
I assume that Vaughan and Williams led the scoring for the Leemen. If they had any other heroes I could not tell you who because some Riverheads rascal stole my cottonpicking program before the game even started. (I'm watching youuuuu!)
But on the RHS side, I can MOST DEFINITELY tell you that they were led by their three already-mentioned sophomores...Painter, Fulton and Dunlap. Painter, who set a new three-point record Wednesday night against Luray, only had one of those tonight, but still led the scoring with 22 and is now averaging about 21 a game. Fulton hit for 18 tonight, just a shade under his average, and Dunlap had 15. I would have to research to see if that is a career high for him, because he is normally the distributor but he does have a great stroke when he chooses to use it. And did I mention that all three of them are only sophomores!!!
So, even though Lee got the victory, this was an awesome effort by the Gladiators for an away game against the defending state champs. Let's just hope it was not a one-time only effort and that they can match this intensity the rest of the season. The re-match in Greenville takes place on January 30th and who knows by that time, it could very well impact the district title. Mark that date on your calendars!
In JV action, the Leemen did not have the size advantage we would see in the varsity game but they too had depth out the wazoo, not to mention the quickest and surest hands of any team I have ever seen. It took them the first quarter to get going but once they did, they pulled away from the Baby Gladiators 70-33 and for the first time I can recall, we saw a running clock in basketball. I believe the new rule is a 30 point lead at any point in the fourth quarter but don't quote me on that.
The Gladiators have a wild week between the two holidays as they host Parry McCluer on Wednesday, and then face Stuarts Draft and Wilson on the road Friday and Saturday. Based on what we saw tonight, I have a hunch they will be up to those challenges!
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I too made the trip to staunton last night. I didn’t think it would be as close as it was but wanted to check out the Leemen. I came away with the following
1) who are the coaches for Lee? I mean, I saw who was dressed different then the players but if they would have had uniforms on, they would have fit right in the huddle. Not just by looks, but actions. It looked more like watching an AAU game. The coaches looked more like friends to the players then coaches. I knew the younger hatcher didn’t have much control over the players and it looks like that will continue with the new coach.
2) speaking of the younger hatcher, I asked for information leading up to last night with me knowing I was going to the game but really didn’t get much. But while at the game I found myself in a conversation at the concession stand with someone who had a lot more info. Not sure where h gets it, but he said the younger hatcher will not be back on the sidelines this year and probably never again. I was never a fan of the younger hatcher. I remember many years ago watching him kick chairs and scream at officials at JMU. He seemed like he could never find his way. The less he got involved last year, the better they got. That being said, I hate for the coaching fraternity to lose anybody. He has been doing it a long time.
3) Lee will not win States this year. Right now they are all over the place. Look a lot like last years team that I saw a couple times early in the season. Not the one that won in the end. Can they get there? They did last year. I guess we will see
1) who are the coaches for Lee? I mean, I saw who was dressed different then the players but if they would have had uniforms on, they would have fit right in the huddle. Not just by looks, but actions. It looked more like watching an AAU game. The coaches looked more like friends to the players then coaches. I knew the younger hatcher didn’t have much control over the players and it looks like that will continue with the new coach.
2) speaking of the younger hatcher, I asked for information leading up to last night with me knowing I was going to the game but really didn’t get much. But while at the game I found myself in a conversation at the concession stand with someone who had a lot more info. Not sure where h gets it, but he said the younger hatcher will not be back on the sidelines this year and probably never again. I was never a fan of the younger hatcher. I remember many years ago watching him kick chairs and scream at officials at JMU. He seemed like he could never find his way. The less he got involved last year, the better they got. That being said, I hate for the coaching fraternity to lose anybody. He has been doing it a long time.
3) Lee will not win States this year. Right now they are all over the place. Look a lot like last years team that I saw a couple times early in the season. Not the one that won in the end. Can they get there? They did last year. I guess we will see
Lee was only in their fourth game last night. The Coach is Terrell Mickens who was the main assistant to Hatcher last year. He is very capable and Lee will be fine. I think Lee has an excellent chance at getting back to the State Tourney. I think Riverheads deserves some credit for last night as well. One thing Lee needs to do is avoid foul trouble...that is what seems to get them in trouble.
Like I had said in another thread, this team will need some time to jell.
I think the expectations would be that they would just roll over everyone - and they had up until last night.
This is a different team from last year - a few key parts returned - but otherwise, it's a totally different team that's going to need a while to form a team chemistry.
They will get there....eventually.
That said, they are still one of the best teams around.
And don't forget - Riverheads is a top 5 team in 1A.
I think the expectations would be that they would just roll over everyone - and they had up until last night.
This is a different team from last year - a few key parts returned - but otherwise, it's a totally different team that's going to need a while to form a team chemistry.
They will get there....eventually.
That said, they are still one of the best teams around.
And don't forget - Riverheads is a top 5 team in 1A.
Leemen beat Gladiators, 68-66
Riverheads had the defending state champions hanging off the ropes for dear life before Lee’s senior leadership stepped up down the stretch to secure a thrilling 68-66 victory over the Gladiators in Shenandoah District boys’ basketball in the Paul Hatcher gym.
Lee and Riverheads have seldom met on the basketball court, but that changed this year when the Leemen came into the Shenandoah District. However, the two schools are in different classifications when regional postseason play rolls around with Lee in Class 2 and Riverheads in Class 1.
But if Friday’s excitement is any indication, a budding rivalry is in the making for area fans.
The Gladiators, who trailed 54-46 entering the fourth quarter, used back-to-back baskets from Braeson Fulton and Grant Painter to suddenly cut the deficit to 63-61 with 2:11 remaining.
But Lee’s floor general, Jayden Williams, sandwiched four straight free throws around two Riverheads turnovers for a 67-61 margin with 35 seconds left.
Riverheads never blinked, scoring the next five points, the last two on free throws by Fulton, to trail 67-66 with still 12.9 seconds on the clock.
The Gladiators immediately fouled Williams at 11.7 seconds, and this time the senior made only 1-of-2, leaving Riverheads the opportunity at a tie or win.
Riverheads got an open look from the top of the key when Fulton rolled off a screen, but his potential game-winning, 3-point shot missed to the left, giving Lee the two-point victory.
“We are never happy with a loss, but the kids put out a great effort,” Riverheads head coach Chad Coffey said. “The kids grew up a lot during the game. By the end of the season, a game like this is only going to help us.
“We came in here to win. A lot of teams just hope to come in and give Lee a game,” Coffey said.
The Leemen were saddled with foul issues the whole night, forcing Lee assistant coach Terrell Mickens to juggle his rotation. Big man Jarvis Vaughan had three fouls midway of the second period and Williams got his third early in the second half.
“We keep telling the guys when one man goes down, the next man has to step up,” Mickens said. “I have confidence in all 15 players on the roster. We ended up making one more play than they did.”
Lee led 33-27 at the half and used a 9-0 run, sparked by five points by Williams, to start the second half for its biggest lead at 42-30 with 5:54 left in the quarter.
“The beginning of the third was pivotal,” Coffey said. “We made some mistakes during that stretch, and that forced us to be climbing back the rest of the night.”
Lee got big bench minutes in the fourth period from junior transfer Zay Brown, who scored two baskets in the paint to help stem scores by the Gladiators.
“Zay hasn’t played much early as teams have been playing zone, but with Riverheads in man-to-man, we knew he could do work inside,” Mickens said.
Williams led the Leemen with a season-high 20 points, while Vaughan, who fouled out with 12.9 seconds left, tallied 14 in limited minutes. Everrett Castle had 12.
Painter had 20 to pace the Gladiators. Fulton added 18 and Elijah Dunlap 17.
Lee (4-0, 3-0) has a week off before closing out 2017 with back-to-back district games that were rescheduled because of the extended football season. The Leemen host winless Buffalo Gap next Friday before making a bit of history Dec. 30 when they play at Stonewall Jackson for what is believed to be the first time meeting between the two schools.
Riverheads (3-2, 3-2) has little time to celebrate Christmas with a three-game week ahead, beginning Wednesday at home against Parry McCluer. Then, like Lee, the Gladiators have two rescheduled district clashes necessitated by football and exams with road games at county rivals Stuarts Draft and Wilson next Friday and Dec. 30, respectively.
Lee’s jayvees dominated the Gladiators 70-33. Kyiam Brown sparked five Leemen in double figures with 13 points. Ethan Painter added 11, while Kaleb Hall, Nicholas Jones and Mason Luck all had 10. Michael Robertson topped Riverheads with a game-high 15.
- By Hubert F. Grim III For The News Virginian
Riverheads had the defending state champions hanging off the ropes for dear life before Lee’s senior leadership stepped up down the stretch to secure a thrilling 68-66 victory over the Gladiators in Shenandoah District boys’ basketball in the Paul Hatcher gym.
Lee and Riverheads have seldom met on the basketball court, but that changed this year when the Leemen came into the Shenandoah District. However, the two schools are in different classifications when regional postseason play rolls around with Lee in Class 2 and Riverheads in Class 1.
But if Friday’s excitement is any indication, a budding rivalry is in the making for area fans.
The Gladiators, who trailed 54-46 entering the fourth quarter, used back-to-back baskets from Braeson Fulton and Grant Painter to suddenly cut the deficit to 63-61 with 2:11 remaining.
But Lee’s floor general, Jayden Williams, sandwiched four straight free throws around two Riverheads turnovers for a 67-61 margin with 35 seconds left.
Riverheads never blinked, scoring the next five points, the last two on free throws by Fulton, to trail 67-66 with still 12.9 seconds on the clock.
The Gladiators immediately fouled Williams at 11.7 seconds, and this time the senior made only 1-of-2, leaving Riverheads the opportunity at a tie or win.
Riverheads got an open look from the top of the key when Fulton rolled off a screen, but his potential game-winning, 3-point shot missed to the left, giving Lee the two-point victory.
“We are never happy with a loss, but the kids put out a great effort,” Riverheads head coach Chad Coffey said. “The kids grew up a lot during the game. By the end of the season, a game like this is only going to help us.
“We came in here to win. A lot of teams just hope to come in and give Lee a game,” Coffey said.
The Leemen were saddled with foul issues the whole night, forcing Lee assistant coach Terrell Mickens to juggle his rotation. Big man Jarvis Vaughan had three fouls midway of the second period and Williams got his third early in the second half.
“We keep telling the guys when one man goes down, the next man has to step up,” Mickens said. “I have confidence in all 15 players on the roster. We ended up making one more play than they did.”
Lee led 33-27 at the half and used a 9-0 run, sparked by five points by Williams, to start the second half for its biggest lead at 42-30 with 5:54 left in the quarter.
“The beginning of the third was pivotal,” Coffey said. “We made some mistakes during that stretch, and that forced us to be climbing back the rest of the night.”
Lee got big bench minutes in the fourth period from junior transfer Zay Brown, who scored two baskets in the paint to help stem scores by the Gladiators.
“Zay hasn’t played much early as teams have been playing zone, but with Riverheads in man-to-man, we knew he could do work inside,” Mickens said.
Williams led the Leemen with a season-high 20 points, while Vaughan, who fouled out with 12.9 seconds left, tallied 14 in limited minutes. Everrett Castle had 12.
Painter had 20 to pace the Gladiators. Fulton added 18 and Elijah Dunlap 17.
Lee (4-0, 3-0) has a week off before closing out 2017 with back-to-back district games that were rescheduled because of the extended football season. The Leemen host winless Buffalo Gap next Friday before making a bit of history Dec. 30 when they play at Stonewall Jackson for what is believed to be the first time meeting between the two schools.
Riverheads (3-2, 3-2) has little time to celebrate Christmas with a three-game week ahead, beginning Wednesday at home against Parry McCluer. Then, like Lee, the Gladiators have two rescheduled district clashes necessitated by football and exams with road games at county rivals Stuarts Draft and Wilson next Friday and Dec. 30, respectively.
Lee’s jayvees dominated the Gladiators 70-33. Kyiam Brown sparked five Leemen in double figures with 13 points. Ethan Painter added 11, while Kaleb Hall, Nicholas Jones and Mason Luck all had 10. Michael Robertson topped Riverheads with a game-high 15.
