The Cleveland High Blue Raiders on Friday night secured a come-from-behind victory over the Dobyns-Bennett Indians, with a final score of 56-55. Senior Kendrick Thompson led the charge with 35 on the night, which included four 3-pointers in the second quarter.
Cleveland struggled early, only scoring six in the first period of play, while the Indians put up 19.
Bobyns-Bennett continued to get it done in the paint in the second quarter, out rebounding the Raiders, moving the ball well and getting the shots that they wanted, while Cleveland’s defense lagged and the offense looked flat and sluggish off the ball movement.
Cleveland had trouble dealing with the 3-2 zone defense the Indians were running, but started looking better defending the goal, as the first half came to a close. The third quarter opened with the score at 34-25 in Dobyns-Bennett’s favor. Cleveland still had some trouble with the zone defense, while the Indians continued to get good looks at the goal. As their defense got better Cleveland’s energy level rose and the Raiders started to close the gap, ending the third period down only 8 points, at 45-37.
With about two minutes left in the games the tempo picked up and the momentum seemed to swing in the Raiders favor. Cleveland caused several turnovers and brought the score within 3 points, at 1:10 left in the game. The Indians scored again and went up by five,at 55-50, when with 23 seconds left Cleveland’s Kendrick Thompson was fouled on a three pointer that he hit and then hit the penalty shot for a 4-point play.
Dobyns-Bennett then turned the ball over on the inbound pass, and with 5 seconds left on the clock Thompson drove to the basket from the top of the key for two, putting Cleveland up 56-55, and that was the game winner. Kendrick Thomson had 7 points with less than two minutes left in the game. Paul Gadson led Dobyns-Bennett with 16.
In the nights other games, the Cleveland Lady Raiders defeated the Dobyns-Bennett girls 63-48 behind points from senior Nora Berry that included six 3-pointers.
The Science-Hill girls won over Oak Ridge by a score of 74-28. Gabby Lyon led the Hill Toppers with 24, scoring 16 in the first half.
In the night’s final game the Oak Ridge boys squad defeated Science Hill handily, jumping out to an early lead and keeping it the entire night, winning 63-53. Calvin Songster was the game’s high scorer with 27, while Isaac Merick led Oak Ridge with 22.
Girls:
Cleveland 17 20 13 13 -- 63
Dobyns-Bennett 10 15 09 14 -- 48
Cleveland (63) – Nora Berry 24, Jenna Scoggins 14, Jamiyah Person 13, Hallea McClendon 6, G. Walkup 6
Dobyns-Bennett (48) – Sasha Morrisette 18, Courtney Depew 10, Alex Anderson 10, Mady Koldy 8, Breanna Patterson 2
3-Point Goals: Cleveland 10, Dobyns-Bennett 3
Oak Ridge 07 04 16 01 -- 28
Science-Hill 14 24 18 18 -- 74
Oak Ridge (28) – C. Thompson 10, A. Anderson 8, L. Scudder 5, K. Walls 3, T. Soles 2
Science-Hill (74) – Gabby Lyon 24, Keisha Gregory 16, Tianna Tarter 15, Baylee Head 4, Paige Foster 4, Grace Herrin 3, Sydney Whiteside 2, Jenae Fields 2
3-Point Goals: Oak Ridge 0, Science-Hill 4