Richland Northeast slips past Ridge View in physical battle

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – Fighting through and finishing was key in Richland Northeast’s victory over Ridge View Tuesday night. The teams traded blows all game, but the Cavaliers' ability to respond on both ends and get and-one opportunities led to their 54-49 victory.

It was a physical game that went down to the wire, but the Cavaliers took the lead near the end of the game and held on, despite a strong attempt from Ridge View to retake the lead.

“We knew it was going to be a battle. Both teams are real physical, defensive-minded teams,” Richland Northeast head coach Jacob Lourie said. “Our guys just persevered through a lot of foul trouble and stepped up, made big plays there in the third and fourth quarter.”

Fouls were a big part of the game with both teams combining to attempt 43 free throws. Richland Northeast connected on 15 of their attempts and the Blazers connected on 14.

The Cavaliers often drew fouls and made the shot earning an and-one opportunity. This gave them an advantage over Ridge View, and it paid off in the final minute of the game when, with a one-possession lead, Richland Northeast hit two layups and earned an and-one opportunity.

“We got some rebounds and we're able to push it ahead instead of slowing down in a half-court game,” Lourie said. “Fast break opportunities, that's when we're at our best.”

The game had multiple lead changes. The Cavaliers led by four at the end of the first quarter, but Ridge View held their own four-point lead by halftime. Then at the end of the third quarter, Richland Northeast was back on top by four.

The high intensity of the game plus the energy of both crowds led to some tensions on the court. In the third quarter, a double-technical was given on two separate occasions after the physical play ended in a scrum.

“These are district rivals, these guys knew all the guys growing up, so there might have been a little extra stuff going on, but it was all in good competition,” Lourie said. “It was just great that our guys were able to persevere.”

Both teams were able to collect themselves and the fourth quarter went on with no issues.

Richland Northeast benefited from a balanced scoring effort. Eight players scored for the Cavs and three players scored double-digits. Guard Cameron Copeland led the team with 11 points, while forward Jaylen Tillman and guard Marques Smith Jr. had 10.

The win pulls the Cavaliers’ record to .500 at (12-12) with one game left to go before the end of the regular season. Ridge View falls to (13-13) and (5-4) in the region, dropping them out of the tie for first place.

Both teams have one more game in the regular season before postseason play begins. Ridge View will return home for a game Friday against A.C. Flora. Richland Northeast will also play Friday when it travels to Westwood.

“Every game in this region is either, overtime or a two or three point game coming down the wire,” Lourie said. “The first time we played them it was like that as well. so we're expecting another knockout, drag-out fight and you know, we're built for that.”