Two perennial elementary basketball powerhouses met Saturday morning at Columbus North to battle for the Elementary Basketball League tournament championship.
In a game that featured the Richards Raiders against the Southside Mustangs, it was the Raiders who prevailed 54-43 to cap off an undefeated season.
Richards’ Alex Wenzler, who tied for the team high with 14 points on the day, reflected on the victory.
“This means a lot to me,” Wenzler said. Last year, I was a manager when we lost in the championship (to Smith), so to be playing and win the championship is great. I’m happy because I didn’t want to sit back and think I could’ve done more to help my team.”
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
Early on, the Raiders were in unfamiliar territory. After handling the Mustangs during the regular season by a score of 38-23, they found themselves trailing at the half 28-20, the first time they have been down at halftime all season.
Despite the score, there was no panic in the Raider locker room.
“We have played defense well all year,” Richards coach Barry Turnbow said. “The boys were not panicking at halftime, but they were more disappointed in the way they played. It was a different situation because we have been ahead at the half all year. But we made some adjustments, started attacking the basket more, and the kids responded.”
The second half was a totally different story for the Raiders. They were more aggressive on the offensive end and found success driving to the basket. A big part of the offensive surge was guard Mason Reeves, who tied Wenzler with a team-high 14 points.
“I was disappointed with how I played in the first half. I needed to get myself pumped up and play better in the second half, and that’s what I did. I was able to get to the basket. We also stopped No. 22 (Southside’s Luke Spurgeon), and that was a key,” Reeves said.
Richards outscored Southside 34-15 in the second half to turn the game around and earn the championship trophy.
Leading the Mustangs were Bryce Harriman with 11 points and Spurgeon with 10.
