To look at that score, you might be inclined to think that the Indians went back to their old habits of last year in tonight's Shenandoah District opener. But no, this was just one of those games where the referees were not tolerating anything, which led to numerous scrums on the floor and almost continuous parades to the foul line.
That helped Fort Defiance in terms of both numbers and endurance because they had a roster advantage of 13-10, and hence more bodies to put on the floor, which also helped them wear down the Gladiators at the end of each half. For example, Riverheads was leading 34-33 late in the second quarter before the Indians closed out the half on a 10-0 surge. Then down the final stretch, the Big Red was within reasonable striking distance at 71-59 before fatigue set in, allowing the Indians to close out the game on 17-3 run.
The foul situation was a definite factor as two RHS starters, Will Gardner and J P Crawford, each had three by halftime. That of course put the Big Red between the old rock and hard place, because to get back in the game, they knew they would have to step up the aggressiveness on defense. As a result, each one picked up foul number four in the third quarter and Gardner eventually fouled out.
Another somewhat unexpected factor in the outcome was the outstanding shooting of Fort Defiance's John Hanger. We were already expecting big production from Gio Armendariz Cruz and he delivered as promised, but Hanger's prowess from behind the arc was most likely something the Gladiators had not prepared for. I counted five triples from him and may have even missed one, whereas Gio did most of his damage from driving down the lane. Both those Indian scorers are only juniors, so no matter how this year turns out, they will be around one more season to light up the scoreboards around the district.
Despite the disappointing loss, there were some positives for Riverheads if you looked for them. For example, they continued their balanced scoring as each night out, they are consistently getting three guys in double figures and tonight was no exception as Henley Dunlap led the way with 16, followed by 14 from Gardner and 13 from Crawford. Coming close to joining them was freshman Jaxon Duff, who continues to develop his game as he had two triples tonight and a total of eight points. Also Gladiator fans appreciated the intensity inside from a determined Joe George, who finished with six points, all on foul shots earned from battling for position.
In fact, also worth noting is the fact that the Big Red drastically improved its foul shooting from the Rapp Co game. I don't keep up with missed foul shots but the Gladiators MADE 23 of them, which gives you an idea of how brutal the play was tonight. If they made that many, we can assume that the Indians made a similar or greater number. It was just one of those games in which neither team set out to put up such big numbers but it just turned out that way.
In a highly entertaining JV game, Fort Defiance was cruising along with an 11 point lead late in the game when RHS caught fire. The Gladiators came all the way back to take the lead on a Jackson Berkstresser triple that kissed high off the glass. One more Big Red basket put them ahead 45-42, but just when it looked like they would complete the successful comeback, the Indians hit a corner three to snatch a 47-45 win. Riverheads still had about 15 seconds to tie or win, but just could not get off a decent shot.
Things were not all bad tonight for the Big Red faithful as the Lady Gladiators evened things up by sweeping both games up at the Fort. In other boys' action, Staunton pounded Buffalo Gap and Stuarts Draft won 46-32 at Waynesboro in a game that certainly must not have resembled this one. Wilson stepped out of district action tonight and completed a season sweep over Westmoreland with a comfortable home court win.
Now everybody's attention will turn to the weekend winter storm and it will be touch and go as to whether conditions will improve in time to play Tuesday's games. If they do go on as scheduled, the RHS boys will travel to Stuarts Draft while the Lady Gladiators will return home after a longggg absence to host the Lady Cougars.
So stay inside and keep warm over the weekend where among other things, you can watch............the final bowl game of the season which will involve the Liberty Flames............ACC basketball with Virginia Tech and UVa in back-to-back Saturday afternoon games.........and of course the final weekend of NFL regular season action, which will include the Commanders/Cowboys clash.
That helped Fort Defiance in terms of both numbers and endurance because they had a roster advantage of 13-10, and hence more bodies to put on the floor, which also helped them wear down the Gladiators at the end of each half. For example, Riverheads was leading 34-33 late in the second quarter before the Indians closed out the half on a 10-0 surge. Then down the final stretch, the Big Red was within reasonable striking distance at 71-59 before fatigue set in, allowing the Indians to close out the game on 17-3 run.
The foul situation was a definite factor as two RHS starters, Will Gardner and J P Crawford, each had three by halftime. That of course put the Big Red between the old rock and hard place, because to get back in the game, they knew they would have to step up the aggressiveness on defense. As a result, each one picked up foul number four in the third quarter and Gardner eventually fouled out.
Another somewhat unexpected factor in the outcome was the outstanding shooting of Fort Defiance's John Hanger. We were already expecting big production from Gio Armendariz Cruz and he delivered as promised, but Hanger's prowess from behind the arc was most likely something the Gladiators had not prepared for. I counted five triples from him and may have even missed one, whereas Gio did most of his damage from driving down the lane. Both those Indian scorers are only juniors, so no matter how this year turns out, they will be around one more season to light up the scoreboards around the district.
Despite the disappointing loss, there were some positives for Riverheads if you looked for them. For example, they continued their balanced scoring as each night out, they are consistently getting three guys in double figures and tonight was no exception as Henley Dunlap led the way with 16, followed by 14 from Gardner and 13 from Crawford. Coming close to joining them was freshman Jaxon Duff, who continues to develop his game as he had two triples tonight and a total of eight points. Also Gladiator fans appreciated the intensity inside from a determined Joe George, who finished with six points, all on foul shots earned from battling for position.
In fact, also worth noting is the fact that the Big Red drastically improved its foul shooting from the Rapp Co game. I don't keep up with missed foul shots but the Gladiators MADE 23 of them, which gives you an idea of how brutal the play was tonight. If they made that many, we can assume that the Indians made a similar or greater number. It was just one of those games in which neither team set out to put up such big numbers but it just turned out that way.
In a highly entertaining JV game, Fort Defiance was cruising along with an 11 point lead late in the game when RHS caught fire. The Gladiators came all the way back to take the lead on a Jackson Berkstresser triple that kissed high off the glass. One more Big Red basket put them ahead 45-42, but just when it looked like they would complete the successful comeback, the Indians hit a corner three to snatch a 47-45 win. Riverheads still had about 15 seconds to tie or win, but just could not get off a decent shot.
Things were not all bad tonight for the Big Red faithful as the Lady Gladiators evened things up by sweeping both games up at the Fort. In other boys' action, Staunton pounded Buffalo Gap and Stuarts Draft won 46-32 at Waynesboro in a game that certainly must not have resembled this one. Wilson stepped out of district action tonight and completed a season sweep over Westmoreland with a comfortable home court win.
Now everybody's attention will turn to the weekend winter storm and it will be touch and go as to whether conditions will improve in time to play Tuesday's games. If they do go on as scheduled, the RHS boys will travel to Stuarts Draft while the Lady Gladiators will return home after a longggg absence to host the Lady Cougars.
So stay inside and keep warm over the weekend where among other things, you can watch............the final bowl game of the season which will involve the Liberty Flames............ACC basketball with Virginia Tech and UVa in back-to-back Saturday afternoon games.........and of course the final weekend of NFL regular season action, which will include the Commanders/Cowboys clash.
