Rocktown 48 Riverheads 45

[blackknight_pride]

@longtimerhsfan can’t wait to read your write up on this one. I’m sure fatigue played a factor in the back to back for the Raptors but this was pretty eye opening for the Shenandoah given how Rocktown handled Staunton last night. Should be an exciting season of hoops in the valley!

 

[longtimerhsfan]

Here you go! This game had the intensity of a decades-old rivalry, even though the teams didn't know each other at all. But they each came out fired up from the opening tip and the game must have featured a dozen or more lead changes.

The main factor that made this game so competitive was the fact that the Raptors do not have an "aircraft carrier" as Coach Al McGuire used to call the big guys. Riverheads will always be challenged when the other team has a strong inside game, as we witnessed Monday night at Central, but Rocktown is very much guard-oriented and if anybody had a height advantage tonight, it was Riverheads. Therefore the game came down to quick hands on defense, teamwork, shot selection, and a lot of hustle.

Riverheads played a much more focused game tonight than they did Monday and with an extra break or two, they could have come out on top. As it was, they had two shots in the final 10 seconds to tie the game up but just could not connect.

The first half was pretty even with Rocktown leading 10-9 after one and 23-19 at the half. But a Jackson Brammer steal and driving lay-up fired up the Big Red and the third quarter was their best of the night. Will Gardner and J P Crawford each connected from behind the arc and at one point the Gladiators had their largest lead of the night at 38-32. But some of those quick hands from Rocktown factored in the rest of the way as they scored five in a row to close to within 38-37 heading into the final frame.

Riverheads managed to grab the lead one more time at 41-39 but from there on, Rocktown rallied and held on for the win. But down the stretch, they missed enough foul shots to give RHS those chances to tie. With around 20 seconds and the score 47-45, Rtown missed both of a two shot foul. The Gladiators came down the floor with a chance to tie or take the lead but with about 10 seconds left, the Raptors forced a jump ball, which went their way.

That of course led to another foul and this time the guy only made one. That gave Riverheads 5 seconds to hoist up a three and tie the game. They didn't have any trouble getting into position for the shot, but the action was so chaotic that none of the big guns had the chance. Instead it was left to the Gladiators' center, Grayson Ward. His shot was certainly straight enough, and he was definitely well behind the line, but he put too much oomph on it and it caromed off the rim.

The Raptors only brought along about 25 fans, but they were a big factor down the stretch and the school is clearly behind its team. However, they may have to have a little chat about humility. As the game ended, some of their players came over directly in front of the RHS student section with some gestures that were not obscene but still not in the best interest of sportsmanship. They continued it long enough that the deputy sheriff on duty had to go out and "encourage" them to leave the floor.

I also noticed some of the fans really giving it to the officials as they left the floor. In my opinion, the refs had called a fair game, considering how intense it was, and the Raptors got nearly every call to go their way in the final minute or so. I can understand that they are excited about a new school and especially about having now won their first two games, but hopefully they can tone some of that stuff down before anything ugly happens in one of their games.

As for Riverheads, this was a very nice bounce back effort after the loss at Central. But as I have explained the match-ups were more even this time. So this game was a very positive step in the right direction. Now the only question will be..........do they have enough energy in the tank to get on the bus tomorrow night and go down to James River? The Gladiators swept both the JV and varsity games down there last year, so unless they are totally wiped out from tonight, I like their chances to pick up their first win of the season.

They then return home Monday for a date with Bath County and the re-match with Rocktown in Harrisonburg will be Friday the 13th as the Gladiators have a pretty hectic pre-Christmas schedule. Yet another road trip is on the schedule next Wednesday, as they will head up 81 once again, this time to Stonewall.

In tonight's JV game, the Junior Raptors jumped out to a big early lead and threatened to blow Riverheads out of its own gym. But the Gladiators settled in and hit enough shots to make it respectable. Rocktown ultimately prevailed 36-21.

 

[one man]

I'll offer a different perspective. Rocktown didn't play with the same intensity they did vs Staunton. I'd like to think they thought they'd roll Riverheads, as they aren't a basketball powerhouse, and the boys looked flat for much of the game. Thought they could just show up and win. Offensively they were more passive than aggressive. Played well enough defensively but if they continue this flat play, they'll be 4th or 5th in the Valley.

In regards to the student sections, I hate them! You want to run your mouth and talk trash, come play on the team and talk and play. Fans should be there to cheer their team. Often times these are non athletic students getting to hound athletes while they play all night but then when we win, our guys are classless for giving it back to them. I blame Duke basketball and ADs allowing some student sections to heckle kids in more than personal ways at times, its unnecessary to me. They can provide some advantages, I guess, in terms of getting in teenagers heads but my thing is who holds student sections accountable when they get personal in their commentary and heckling. I wasn't present so I can't say what Riverheads students were saying but if they can dish it all game, you can't complain if our players gave it back to them when it's over and we've won. It's got to go both ways for me.

 

[longtimerhsfan]

You could very well be correct that the Riverheads student section (and by the way there were only about 6-8 of them who were addressed) may have done their part to incite things. I was sitting near the top and therefore not in a position to see what they were doing or saying.

But I am sure you and I, and hopefully a lot of other folks, can agree on one thing.......that sportsmanship and fan behavior have gone further downhill in the last ten years than all the times before that put together. For example, there was a time when you would have never heard the "fertilizer" cheer in any sport, but nowadays it is heard loud and clear on just about any televised game.

Even plain old boo-ing of a call would have never been tolerated in the past. And are any of you old enough to remember when a basketball player was required to raise his hand when he was called for a foul?

Then think about all those cases over the weekend involving the flag-planting and the fights that resulted. I am not at all sure how that got started but it would seem like a very easy thing to stop. Leave the flags in the stands or locker rooms...problem solved.

Fortunately the news is not all bad. I still see both football and basketball players helping the other guy up off the turf or court and I see pats on the back for encouragement. So in some games there is still respect for the opponent as opposed to outright hatred.

Anyway, good luck to your team, because they are certainly off to a good start. As for the Gladiators, there are some games coming up in the near future that should get them on the winning track. Hopefully both our teams will go on to have seasons to be proud of.

 

[EPJr]

I have heard of worst (not to mention any names)
They are all full of "spunk and vinegar" in December but as the season roll on they will tire especially if the team cannot back up their venom on the floor.