Senior Night! Riverwood High School vs. North Springs 2//7/2012

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 v North Springs
Regular Season Ends with Loss to North Springs 76-59
Senior Night Recap Included
The tremendous energy from the packed student section and the excitement of Senior Night was not enough to propel the Raiders to victory over cross-town rival North Springs. On a night honoring the Seniors, the crowd was electric, raucous and at times, deafening. Throughout the game, Seniors Jamahl Davis (12 pts.), Eric Vaz (3 pts.), Adam Birnbrey (2 pts.), Barak Hayut (14 pts.), and reserve guard Anthony Johnson (1 pt.) played with tremendous heart, energy and determination – never wilting, but simply running out of time. Davis and Hayut provided the initial offensive surge, while Vaz and Birnbrey were the grit and determination – doing, as they have all year, whatever was necessary to win. When Davis left in the second half with an injury to his ankle, Johnson stepped in and ran the show. North Springs’ combination of size, speed, and relentless offense was too much for an erratic Raider offense to defeat.

Before the capacity crowd, the game began at break-neck speed. After the Spartans scored off the opening tip, Hayut was all net from beyond the three point arc. Junior Connor McDaniel hit two free throws, and after another Hayut bomb found its mark, Davis drove the lane; Riverwood grabbed the early lead, 12–8. North Springs quickly tied the game, but Vaz found a cutting McDaniel with a spectacular pass to recapture the lead. The lead see-sawed, but with the score tied at 16, the Raiders suddenly could not score. During this cold spell, the Spartans were poised to blow the game open. However, with North Springs up 23-16 and driving for another bucket, McDaniel drew an offensive foul, and on the change in possession, sophomore Royce Jones struck from three. McDaniel then blocked a Spartan shot. Riverwood was in the game 25–19 at the end of the first quarter.

The Raider defense tightened to start the second quarter; and Davis found his stroke – hitting from the line, beyond the arc and on penetrating drives. Junior Jonathan Goodson scored off a McDaniel pick, and the Raiders pulled within one, 27–26. When North Springs found the range from the outside, and again, Riverwood’s offense went missing, the lead ballooned to 40–28. Riverwood finished off the half on a small run to close the lead to 42–33.

Although a strong start was needed by the Raiders in the second half, it was North Springs that took command. Riverwood moved the ball and took good shots, but did not score until half-way though the period; the Spartans were up 50–33. The Raiders did not quit. Through the remainder of the quarter, Riverwood nibbled away at the lead as the Spartans could not convert from the free throw line and the Raiders converted a number of steals and turnovers into easy baskets. Juniors McDaniel, Goodson and Amari Carter fueled the effort to come within striking distance, down only 61–47 with the final eight minutes remaining.

With North Springs vulnerable to a charge, the Seniors asserted their leadership. Johnson, playing for the injured Davis, began the quarter driving to the basket; he then stole the ball and fed McDaniel for an easy two. With Birnbrey grabbing rebounds, and Hayut hitting from the outside, the Raiders kept pace, but could not close the gap below 13 points. As the Spartans slowed the pace, and began taking time off the clock, Riverwood was forced to foul. North Springs converted from the line. Riverwood continued to keep pace, and would not fade. Vaz hit two clutch free throws and McDaniel drove the lane to keep the lead at 13, 69–56. Then, Riverwood made their charge. After forcing a turnover, Birnbrey converted two free throws; the lead was reduced to 11 for the first time in the half, 69–58. On the ensuing in-bounds, with the Raiders providing full court pressure, the ball was stolen at mid-court. With a chance to drop the deficit below ten, with just over two minutes to play, Riverwood had a three point attempt rim out. The Spartans gained possession and their poise, and closed out the game. With 1:52 remaining the Seniors were taken out to a standing ovation -- obviously disappointed in the outcome of their final game at home.

As the team readies itself for the second season: post-season tournament play where everyone is 0–0 and anything can happen, we pay tribute to the Seniors. The Raiders entered the season with significant questions, having to replace last season’s top seven players. Who would provide the offense? Who would be the leader? How would this team stop others and rebound? The Seniors - collectively - provided the answers. They led by demonstrating the value of team work and chemistry. They supported each other, each playing his role, and never was there a game where they were out-worked – perhaps out-played - but never out-worked. Most importantly, they allowed the younger players to grow and succeed – because they knew the old cliché – the whole was greater than an individual part, was essential to a successful season.

No. 1, Anthony Johnson was a lightning quick reserve, always ready and willing to provide Davis and Sophomore point guard Trey Houston with needed rest. When Johnson entered the game, he provided instant energy that was infectious on both ends of the floor. Johnson could penetrate just about any defensive scheme and through the course of the year developed an effective outside jump shot. Defensively, his quick hands wrecked havoc and disrupted opponents’ offenses – often leading to easy transition points.

No. 2, Jamahl Davis was the catalyst for the offense; a tremendous scorer, Davis learned to involve all others in the offense and not just look for his own shot. When defenses provided an opening he took advantage; when he was the focus of the defense's eye, he distributed the ball to others. Defensively, Davis was quick and opportunistic, forcing turnovers, jump starting the break, and often converting fast break points. As went Davis, so went the Raider offense.

Continue to read the rest here http://riverwoodics.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=59&Itemid=338