MINT HILL, NC – The Rocky River Ravens boys basketball team beat a scrappy Cuthbertson team from Union County in a non-conference contest 62-59 at home recently.
The Ravens (CMS Athletics) are now 3-0 on the season. They definitely put their reputation on the line as the #13 ranked team in 4A West Basketball when they went head to head against a solid and feisty Cavalier basketball team who opened their season on the road.
It was clearly the outstanding play of All-Conference standout PG/SG Jaden Lyles who carried the team offensively scoring 28 points. Lyles scored 19 in the second half of the contest to take over the game after the Ravens were trailing 27-23 by the intermission.
The second half is when this basketball game became exciting as both teams jockeyed for position going back and forth up and down the court at a rapid pace. The Cavaliers still had a 3-point lead 43-40 with 1:09 remaining in the third period. However, junior Quincy Dunn drilled a 3-pointer to tie the ball game. There seemed to be a momentum switch as the crowd exploded and the tempo on the Ravens side picked up a notch when Lyles drove the lane scored and was fouled. He finished the 3 point play and then swished a jump shot putting the “Running Ravens” ahead 48-43 after three periods.
In the final period, the teams roared up and down the hardwood exchanging baskets as the pace became furious. With score 58-54 with 1:01 remaining, Cuthbertson called a time out. Henry Price fouled Kaleb Parker who made both free throws making the score 58-56. Now with 12.4 seconds on the digital scoreboard, Shamari Johnson gets fouled, he swishes both tree throws with the net making a sharp snap for a 60-56 lead. The Cavaliers quickly matriculate the ball up court, Parker Burke nails a 3-pointer making the score 60-59. Lyles pushes the ball back down the court, he is fouled with 2.4 seconds remaining. He proceeds to drill both foul shots putting pressure on the Cavaliers. Lyles then makes a clean steal off a dribble putting this game in the victory column for the Ravens.
Lyles led all scorers with 28 points, Dunn 11, Johnson 8, Price 8, and Emmanuel Torres 7 were the top scorers for Rocky River. While Parker scored 20 points, Calvin Douglas 10, Parker Booth 10, Brandon Betances 7 to lead the Cavaliers in a well-played basketball game.
