Riverheads over Rockbridge

[knowhen]

Riverheads boys defeat Rockbridge 51-43

 

[longtimerhsfan]

The Gladiators spotted the visiting Wildcats an old-fashioned three on their first possession but then exploded for the next 14 points and never looked back as they posted a most satisfying and confidence-building win. I think the key was that the Gladiators finally had a little time off, not having played since last Friday and they used that to clear their heads and get focused a little bit. As you guys know, every year due to the extended football season, Riverheads has to cram its season into a pretty short window of time and sometimes it takes a toll. After all, three and sometimes four games a week does not allow for too many practices.

Braeson Fulton got the Big Red started in a big way tonight as his first basket was a triple to tie the score. He went on to score 11 in an action-packed first quarter and two other Gladiators, Elijah Dunlap and Bradley Roberts, also hit from behind the arc. Riverheads led 21-13 at the first quarter horn.

Fulton's second triple of the game gave the Gladiators their third 11-point lead of the evening, but the Wildcats were then able to settle in a little and try to get back into the game. In fact they came all the way back to tie things up at 30, but never grabbed the lead as RHS took a 32-30 advantage to the locker room.

Although Big Mo was primarily on the Wildcats' side at the break, Riverheads snatched it back to open the third quarter on four quick points from Dunlap. They stretched the lead to 39-30 as RCHS went over six minutes without scoring. The third quarter ended with the Big Red on top 41-34.

The Cats made one more run, trimming the lead to 43-41 midway through the fourth, but once again they just could not get the key bucket and RHS re-established control on hoops from Fulton and Roberts. Grant Painter then took over down the stretch as the primary ball-handler and ran the delay game to perfection as the Gladiators held on for the big win.

Only the RHS starting five scored on the night, but the bench players did their part, giving them some valuable rest time and helping keep the Wildcats at bay. Fulton finished with a game-high 16, Painter added 13, Dunlap and Roberts had 9 each, and Drew Bond chipped in with 4. I believe I heard the PA announcer say that Nathan Bailey led the Cats with 14.

Following this game, due to the unusual format being used tonight, fans adjourned to the old gym, which the Rockbridge JVs found very much to their liking as they rolled to a 75-39 win. They were a very deep and talented bunch and in fact I am not sure I have seen a better JV team, with the possible exception of R E Lee.

On the bright side for Riverheads, one of its stars of the future, freshman Adam Painter, put on another of his three-point clinics. I missed a small part of this game by checking on the girls' game, but I believe he hit six from behind the arc.

So the Gladiator (varsity) snapped a three-game skid, but hopefully they saved some energy for tomorrow night's trip to Stonewall, since that will be a district game. The Gladiators then host Wilson on Tuesday night and they would like nothing better than to come into that one on a two-game win streak with a weekend of rest behind them.

 

[Flexable]

The Gladiators spotted the visiting Wildcats an old-fashioned three on their first possession but then exploded for the next 14 points and never looked back as they posted a most satisfying and confidence-building win. I think the key was that the Gladiators finally had a little time off, not having played since last Friday and they used that to clear their heads and get focused a little bit. As you guys know, every year due to the extended football season, Riverheads has to cram its season into a pretty short window of time and sometimes it takes a toll. After all, three and sometimes four games a week does not allow for too many practices.

Braeson Fulton got the Big Red started in a big way tonight as his first basket was a triple to tie the score. He went on to score 11 in an action-packed first quarter and two other Gladiators, Elijah Dunlap and Bradley Roberts, also hit from behind the arc. Riverheads led 21-13 at the first quarter horn.

Fulton's second triple of the game gave the Gladiators their third 11-point lead of the evening, but the Wildcats were then able to settle in a little and try to get back into the game. In fact they came all the way back to tie things up at 30, but never grabbed the lead as RHS took a 32-30 advantage to the locker room.

Although Big Mo was primarily on the Wildcats' side at the break, Riverheads snatched it back to open the third quarter on four quick points from Dunlap. They stretched the lead to 39-30 as RCHS went over six minutes without scoring. The third quarter ended with the Big Red on top 41-34.

The Cats made one more run, trimming the lead to 43-41 midway through the fourth, but once again they just could not get the key bucket and RHS re-established control on hoops from Fulton and Roberts. Grant Painter then took over down the stretch as the primary ball-handler and ran the delay game to perfection as the Gladiators held on for the big win.

Only the RHS starting five scored on the night, but the bench players did their part, giving them some valuable rest time and helping keep the Wildcats at bay. Fulton finished with a game-high 16, Painter added 13, Dunlap and Roberts had 9 each, and Drew Bond chipped in with 4. I believe I heard the PA announcer say that Nathan Bailey led the Cats with 14.

Following this game, due to the unusual format being used tonight, fans adjourned to the old gym, which the Rockbridge JVs found very much to their liking as they rolled to a 75-39 win. They were a very deep and talented bunch and in fact I am not sure I have seen a better JV team, with the possible exception of R E Lee.

On the bright side for Riverheads, one of its stars of the future, freshman Adam Painter, put on another of his three-point clinics. I missed a small part of this game by checking on the girls' game, but I believe he hit six from behind the arc.

So the Gladiator (varsity) snapped a three-game skid, but hopefully they saved some energy for tomorrow night's trip to Stonewall, since that will be a district game. The Gladiators then host Wilson on Tuesday night and they would like nothing better than to come into that one on a two-game win streak with a weekend of rest behind them.

I'm very surprised at this outcome. This is a huge win for Riverheads and maybe they will put things together for a run down the stretch. Rockbridge needs to be more consistent. They play really good sometimes and then they play really bad. They are good when they hit shots but really struggle when they can't get the 3's to fall. What looked to be a promising season now looks to be about a .500 season.

 

[longtimerhsfan]

Not that I would ever want to take away from a well-deserved Riverheads win, but Rockbridge did at least look like a talented, athletic team, but the truth is the shots just did not fall for them, as you mentioned. They had good looks, and plenty of opportunities, but after scoring that first three-point play, they went about five minutes without hitting, while Riverheads built up its margin. Then in the second half (different basket of course) they went the first six minutes without a single point. They even had some of those that appeared to be ready to drop in, but popped back out. It was just that kind of night for them. The teams play again before the season is out, along with Riverheads playing Parry McCluer a second time on Rockbridge's floor during the Rock the Ribbon Classic on the 27th.