The true mark of a teams success in a given season is when your opponents have to get creative with their game plans in hopes of gaining an advantage. Thursday night in the Danny Jonas Invitational Tournament Radford tried to borrow a page from Pulaski County by slowing down the pace of play. The tactic worked for the first quarter as the Bobcats carried an 8-7 lead into the first break but once CCHS adjusted it was business as usual for Head Coach Anthony Barnes and his undefeated Cavaliers as they rolled the Bobcats 51-21.
” We started off slow as they pressured us more than we’ve seen this year,” said assistant coach Kris Richardson. “They slowed their offense down which in turn slowed our running down. As we became more patient we started to slowly pull away. Defense set our tone by holding them to 10 points at the half and only 21 for the game. Unselfish play more in rhe 2nd half led to some easy baskets. “
The Cavaliers limited Radford to just two points in the second quarter (14-2), giving the team a 21-10 lead at the break. Radford is coming off an undefeated State Championship football season and figures to be in the chase for the Three Rivers District regular season basketball crown but they had no answer in the second half.
{ Need to take a break on the Gamer, long enough to get through Security for the 5am flight ✈️, will complete soon}
While its possible to try and slow down the Cavaliers running game, speed and tenacity on the defensive end cannot be taken away.
” What can I say but TEAM defensive to the max, held them to 10 points at half, and 11 in the second have,” noted Barnes. “We played team ball to max , Bryce with 11, Davis 11, Isiah 8, Ethan 9, and Cody Reece had a phenomenal game with 8 and huge physical presence.”
The Cavaliers appear to enjoy playing defense as much as the do playing offense. A rarity these days, which has to be a coaches dream.
” All the hard work starting in November is now paying off,” added Barnes.” I told them their is no I , in team. But their is in WIN ! Big time win for the Cavalier program, and Cavalier Nation ! TEAM TEAM TEAM FAMILY TOO THE CORE !”
Carroll County will face Narrows (10-0) for the Championship tonight at 8:30pm. Narrows advanced to the finals with a convincing victory over Pulaski County, 72-29.
Two unbeaten basketball teams set to play for the Hardware at the end of a Holiday event, just like it should be.
CCHS JV fell short in their Semi-final game against Radford earlier in the day. Dane Leonard led the Cavaliers in scoring with 10 points and the team will compete for 3rd place in their bracket Friday afternoon.
The Varsity Girls 👧 defeated host First Baptist of Charleston 52-48 in their first of three games down in the Low Country. They are scheduled to compete again Friday before wrapping up play on Saturday.
A.S.P.N on The Hill 