| Riverdale wins thriller, 64-63 in double overtime |
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By: JEFF JORDAN, Special to The Post
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Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010 4:29 pm
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Normal games take 32 minutes, but there was nothing normal about Riverdale’s first round State Tournament game at Murphy Center on Thursday night.
Riverdale (28–2) and on a 25-game winning streak, won the 40-minute double overtime thriller 64 – 63 over Mt. Juliet (32–2) and advanced to the second round vs Memphis Overton (30–3) Friday at 4 p.m. Morristown West will follow versus Memphis Central.
In the victory, Riverdale got an early 16–5 first-quarter lead, which they acquired using some great shooting and aggressive defense, but the lead disappeared by halftime. RHS had a horrible second quarter being outscored 20–6, which left them trailing 25–22 at the break.
There is no quit in RHS, however, and no panic either. It took 16 torrid minutes for RHS to catch up and hold on, throwing the game into overtime.
It took a little bit of everything to win this one. including some three-point shooting from Natalie Lanning (10 points), Ashley Henry (3 points) and Candace Spurlock (5 points), 4 points and a steal by freshman Olivia Jones in the first overtime, baskets in both overtimes by Jaclissa Haislip (6 points), another great night from Shacobia Barbee, 26 points – including the final, game winning basket and free throw, and double digit scoring from another freshman Tyisha Petty (10 points).
Everyone contributed something, all seven Lady Warriors who played scored four points or more, and Barbee is now, officially, the “go to girl” for RHS.
Perhaps Riverdale’s greatest asset is its constantly changing aggressive pressure defense and attitude. They appear to be intense and relaxed at the same time and they also appear confident. All these are characteristics of a team that is prepared.
They have very little time to prepare for Overton; less than 24 hours, since AAA teams play three days in a row.
Riverdale makes mistakes, of course, but they don’t rattle and they always seem to force the opposition into more turnovers than they make themselves. This explains Mt. Juliet’s crushing 19 turnovers, some of them in the overtimes. Riverdale did not make any turnovers for the first 10 plus minutes of the game and only one in the overtimes.
NOTES: Friday's 4 p.m opponent, the Memphis Overton Wolverines are 30–3 and beat Oakridge Thursday, 47–42.
Both of Mt. Juliet’s losses were to RHS – by 4 points and by 1.
This contest was a really great game – it was tied at the end of regulation 48 – 48 and at the end of the first overtime 54 – 54.
Mt. Juliet’s fine sophomore post girl, Caya Williams led the Bears with 23 points.
Mt. Juliet had a 25 game winning streak broken with this loss.
Petty, Lanning and Barbee all played their 8th grade year or more at Christiana Middle.
The battle of the cheering sections was easily and loudly won by Riverdale. I wonder if the TSSAA cares about the matchup Sat. night. Let’s see, would you rather have Riverdale vs anybody or say ... Memphis Overton vs Memphis Central. If it’s the latter, you could go up into the crowd and personally meet each fan. |
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