For most of the first half tonight, the Buffalo Gap Bison were struggling at county rival Riverheads. The Big Red's Adam Painter carved them up with a personal 12-point first quarter, outscoring the Bison all by himself as RHS led 18-8 at the first horn.
But fortunately for the visitors, a game has four quarters and Buffalo Gap made the most of the final three as they rallied from behind to knock off Riverheads 63-54, sweeping the series from their neighborhood rivals. The duo of Tanner Rivenburg and Bennett Bowers combined for 48 points in the victory, as the Bison also were able to handcuff Painter for most of the rest of the game.
The keys to the comeback were hot shooting from behind the arc as Rivenburg hit six triples on the night, but the Bison also stepped up the defense and were able to cut off passing lanes, resulting in a number of steals that led to fast break lay-ups and in one case a breakaway dunk by Ethan Teter that under normal circumstances would have brought the Bison fans to a frenzy. Hopefully at least some of them were able to see it online.
Riverheads was in control for most of the first half as BG did not take its first lead until a Rivenburg triple made it 27-24 late in the second quarter. Even then RHS fought back and led 30-29 at the break when Painter connected on two out of three from the foul line with only a second left on the clock.
But as any coach will tell you, the first few minutes of the second half can be the most crucial of any game, and in this case, the Bison scored the first five points quickly out of the gate in the third quarter to let the home team know that they were not going to go away. Riverheads did manage to catch back up momentarily but was never able to lead by more than a point or two, whereas the Gap gradually built as much as a ten-point lead, mainly due to Rivenburg's steady play.
For the Gladiators to lose this final home game of the regular season is both puzzling and frustrating. First of all, they have defied conventional logic by performing better on the road this season than they have in the confines of their home gym. With tonight's loss, they finished 1-4 against district foes, yet they are 2-2 on the road in Shenandoah play, having beaten both Fort Defiance and Staunton away from home.
That statistic might bode well for Friday's trip to Stuarts Draft to face the Cougars. Riverheads defeated the Draft handily the first time around but SD has team leader Jo'el Howard back now and that makes a world of difference, as evidenced by their tight two-point loss at Fort Defiance tonight.
Despite tonight's loss, Riverheads is still clinging to the number one seed in the Region 1-B playoff picture. If that sounds strange to some readers, it is because the Shenandoah is composed entirely of Class 2 and 3 teams, so RHS gets a boost for any win over any district foe.
In fact, to look at the glass half full, Riverheads might be an unimpressive 5-6 overall, but they have not even PLAYED another Class 1 school this season. For the past two seasons, that same high level of competition has paid off for the Big Red as they advanced to the state quarterfinals each time, and in each case lost at the final horn to eventual state champions. Being that kind of battle-tested should have this year's team ready and even eager for next week's playoffs.
Meanwhile the Bison are in good shape in the Class Two playoffs, but they have some unfinished business in the form of a final home game on Friday against Staunton. They took the Storm into overtime before falling earlier this season in Paul Hatcher, so if Rivenburg and company get fired up at home, they might just even up that series.
In other action tonight, the Bison junior varsity easily handled Riverheads 45-18 and out at the Gap, Riverheads took the JV game before Amaya Lucas led her Lady Bison to a 46-36 win over the Gladiators.
But fortunately for the visitors, a game has four quarters and Buffalo Gap made the most of the final three as they rallied from behind to knock off Riverheads 63-54, sweeping the series from their neighborhood rivals. The duo of Tanner Rivenburg and Bennett Bowers combined for 48 points in the victory, as the Bison also were able to handcuff Painter for most of the rest of the game.
The keys to the comeback were hot shooting from behind the arc as Rivenburg hit six triples on the night, but the Bison also stepped up the defense and were able to cut off passing lanes, resulting in a number of steals that led to fast break lay-ups and in one case a breakaway dunk by Ethan Teter that under normal circumstances would have brought the Bison fans to a frenzy. Hopefully at least some of them were able to see it online.
Riverheads was in control for most of the first half as BG did not take its first lead until a Rivenburg triple made it 27-24 late in the second quarter. Even then RHS fought back and led 30-29 at the break when Painter connected on two out of three from the foul line with only a second left on the clock.
But as any coach will tell you, the first few minutes of the second half can be the most crucial of any game, and in this case, the Bison scored the first five points quickly out of the gate in the third quarter to let the home team know that they were not going to go away. Riverheads did manage to catch back up momentarily but was never able to lead by more than a point or two, whereas the Gap gradually built as much as a ten-point lead, mainly due to Rivenburg's steady play.
For the Gladiators to lose this final home game of the regular season is both puzzling and frustrating. First of all, they have defied conventional logic by performing better on the road this season than they have in the confines of their home gym. With tonight's loss, they finished 1-4 against district foes, yet they are 2-2 on the road in Shenandoah play, having beaten both Fort Defiance and Staunton away from home.
That statistic might bode well for Friday's trip to Stuarts Draft to face the Cougars. Riverheads defeated the Draft handily the first time around but SD has team leader Jo'el Howard back now and that makes a world of difference, as evidenced by their tight two-point loss at Fort Defiance tonight.
Despite tonight's loss, Riverheads is still clinging to the number one seed in the Region 1-B playoff picture. If that sounds strange to some readers, it is because the Shenandoah is composed entirely of Class 2 and 3 teams, so RHS gets a boost for any win over any district foe.
In fact, to look at the glass half full, Riverheads might be an unimpressive 5-6 overall, but they have not even PLAYED another Class 1 school this season. For the past two seasons, that same high level of competition has paid off for the Big Red as they advanced to the state quarterfinals each time, and in each case lost at the final horn to eventual state champions. Being that kind of battle-tested should have this year's team ready and even eager for next week's playoffs.
Meanwhile the Bison are in good shape in the Class Two playoffs, but they have some unfinished business in the form of a final home game on Friday against Staunton. They took the Storm into overtime before falling earlier this season in Paul Hatcher, so if Rivenburg and company get fired up at home, they might just even up that series.
In other action tonight, the Bison junior varsity easily handled Riverheads 45-18 and out at the Gap, Riverheads took the JV game before Amaya Lucas led her Lady Bison to a 46-36 win over the Gladiators.
