Raider boys clinch win in overtime

"They almost gave me a heart attack on that one," Raider Head Coach Jeremy Crollard said about a 77-74 overtime victory the Raiders pulled off against the Mustangs last week before a losing in Waterville.

Hosting the Bridgeport Mustangs Jan. 2, the Raiders were down seven points at the start of the second quarter, trailing 18-11, but put up 14 in the second quarter to the Mustangs' eight, cutting their lead down to one point. A high-scoring third quarter for both teams put the score tied at 51 apiece entering the fourth quarter. The score was tied at 67 at the end of the fourth, sending the game into overtime.

Tied at 74, with the final minute of overtime ticking away, Raider captain Trevor McCraigie sank a three-pointer to put the Raiders up 77-74, which became the final score after Bridgeport was unable to answer.

"In clutch moments, he tends to shine and do his best," Crollard said about McCraigie after the storybook ending to the game.

Crollard also commended the performances of Kyle Edmo and Derek Whiteman as key in the game.

"I kept telling the kids if we play under control and with composure we'll be fine," Crollard said. "Our guys battled, and I'm very proud of them to come out and get the victory against a good team."

The Raiders didn't fare as well in Waterville Jan. 4, losing 60-47 to the Shockers.

"It was just one of those games where no matter how hard we battled there would be something, (like) a call that wouldn't go our way, right when we were getting back into it, and we could never overcome it," Crollard said. "I have to give it to Waterville; their kids played really well."

The Raiders currently have a 4-4 conference win-loss record, 4-6 overall. Waterville and Manson also have 4-4 conference records, but better overall records. Brewster leads the league, undefeated at 8-0, followed by Oroville (6-2) and Tonasket (5-2) placing the Raiders at sixth place following the Waterville game.

The Raiders played last night in Oroville, results of which will be in next week's Star. The Raiders next home game is at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11 against the top-ranked Brewster Bears.