Raider boys on three-game win streak

by John R. McNeil II

The Raiders extended their winning streak to three games as they defeated Bridgeport and Manson last week.

At Bridgeport, the Raiders started out slow having trouble in the rebounding department and in playing consistently at both ends of the court, but established a lead at the end of the first quarter, 19-11.

The second quarter set off a Raider offensive explosion. They racked up 20 points to the Mustangs’ nine. At half, the Raiders led 39-20.

Bridgeport came back into the game in the third, as the Raiders again struggled with the rebounds. Bridgeport outscored the Raiders 17-7 as their defense shut down the Raiders’ offense. At the end of three, the Raiders a narrower lead, 46-37.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter the game seesawed between the Raiders and Mustangs. As Bridgeport’s rally continued, the game became intense, but LR pulled ahead and the Mustang rally run out of gas. The Raiders defeated the Mustangs 66-50.

“Players came out ready to play and played with confidence,” Raider Head Coach Matt Simpson said. “We knew it would be a battle no matter what, and it was.”

“We didn’t settle for jump shots, but tried to get a piece of the paint consistently,” Simpson continued. “We’ve also cut down our turnovers in half.” Noting the team’s progress, Simpson said, “Our mentality is also changing and we’re narrowing the gap between what we do in practice and how hard we play, then to transferring that over to game performances.”

The Raiders continued that better play as they mauled the Trojans at Manson Friday, 64-27.

“Our leaders are really beginning to step into their role and lead others,” Simpson commented. “I expect us to make a strong league finish and be prepared to play our best basketball moving forward into February.”

With the wins, LR improved their overall win-loss record to 9-7 and in Central Washington 2B League play to 4-3. The Raiders are sitting at second place in the North with a 2.5-game lead on the Mustangs.

The Raiders are now preparing for a rematch against Liberty Bell at home on Friday, starting at 7:30 p.m. LR narrowly lost to the Mt. Lions 53-49 at Liberty Bell Jan. 21.

On Saturday, the Raiders will travel south to Riverside Christian for a 7 p.m. game against the third-place Central Washington South Crusaders (8-8; 4-2) with wins over Liberty Bell and Entiat.

at Bridgeport

Nault 0, Garvin 20, Rosenbaum 4, Palmer 4, Picard 1, K. Davis 3, Redstar 9, Nicholson 4, Black 0, W. Davis 0, Louie 21.

Bridgeport- Espinoburros 5, Gurza 0, Marcedo 0, Monje 3, Evenson 22, Alvarez 3, Craig 6, Trujillo 2, Sanchez 9

Rebounds:

LRHS – Garvin 9, 8 steals, Palmer 7, Redstar 6, Rosenbaum, Nault, and Kadin Davis each had 1 rebound.