Photo 📷 credits to Greg Talley / Carroll County Sports Report
Max Meadows – Last season Davis Reitzel played Robin to Elijah Cox’s Batman but with Cox now playing College Basketball, its Reitzel’s team to lead and the 6’4 Senior has stepped up in a Huge manner for Head Coach Anthony Barnes and his Cavaliers team. Last night Reitzel led the team to a convincing 71-52 over a previously undefeated Narrows team, claiming the Championship of the Danny Jonas Invitational along the way.
“Here is the stat line for Davis, 28 points / 19 rebounds /4 assitts, 2 steals,” said a joyful Barnes. ” 19 rebounds!”
The early season success of the Cavaliers is longer a secret to any future opponent after the past three days. One night after limiting Radford to just 21 points the team dismissed a talented Green Wave (10-1) team by wearing them down.
One of the things that makes the future so bright for Barnes and Company is the incredible balance the team displays each and every time they take the floor. The team had four different leading scorers in the first four games and their willingness to share both the basketball and the spotlight with each other.
Assistant Coach Kris Richardson went deeper into the meaning that the latest victory carried for their group.
“Fantastic team effort tonight. As always, we preach teamwork and playing for the guy beside you. These young men are just fun to watch and just a blast to coach, Richardson said.. “All the work they’ve put in the last 8 years is showing up now. The win was for Coach Barnes in the building he graduated from in the tournament named for his former coach. Just a special week for a special group of young men!”
Bryce Smoot has stepped up comfortably with his increased role in leadership and scoring. Smoot joined Reitzel in double figures with 17 points on a night where eight of the Cavaliers found the scoring column.
“Again our defense pervealed, (Isaiah) Easter did a phenomenal job on Pruitt and kept him contained, Davis had a really great tournament , ” Barnes added. “We struggled some shooting from the floor but we made it up with defensive tips and rebounds, getting it turned up the floor into transition which is our game. We apply pressure and we don’t get pressured.”
One of the things that doesn’t show up in a score book is just how cohesive the group appears to be. The core group has been playing together for years now and it shows in their play. Last night the lead reached 69-44 before Narrows made a late push to be the first team to finish inside of 20 points of the Cavaliers.
Off now until January 2nd, the Cavaliers will enjoy their pre-distrct success for a moment or two but they appear focused on much bigger things await. Alleghany is the District opener at home and the freshly named Cougars (after the merger with Covington) will provide a great test for the Cavaliers.
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Allen will add Anthony’s Box 📦 score to the write ✍ up and make it all Pretty next.
The flight ✈️ to Houston is boarding now so I will get to sharing more from the Lone Star State after I send this in.
A.S.P.N on The Hill 