By Chris Yow
THOMPSONS STATION — Ravenwood closed the third quarter with nine unanswered points, and held off a late Independence rally to hold on for an 84-78 road win to start District 11-AAA play on Tuesday.
Twice in the fourth quarter, the Eagles were able to get the game to a two-possession deficit with possession of the ball, but a pair of River Katina turnovers allowed the Raptors to put the game away.
“We don’t value the basketball,” Independence coach Doug Kiel said. “It’s early in the year, but it’s very frustrating. We have to continue to work and get better.”
During the nine-point run at the end of the third quarter, Kiel said his team stopped being aggressive and made a few key mistakes.
“We stopped playing fast and attacking; we just kind of stood around, and threw the ball away” he said. “They took advantage of it because they’re a well-coached team.”
Independence led 39-37 at the break thanks to a buzzer-beater by Katina. He had 13 points in the first half, but managed to finish with just 15 for the game.
Tyus Anderson, who led the Eagles in scoring, had a team-high 17 points — all of which came in the second half. He was 12-of-14 from the free throw line.
For the game, Ravenwood was 27-of-36 from the stripe, including 12-of-16 in the fourth quarter. Jake Mulder led all scorers with 23 points for the Raptors.
Sharp-shooting Raptors roll: Ravenwood poured in the game’s first 19 points, including three 3-pointers, and used a stifling defense to earn a District 11-AAA girls win on Tuesday.
Lexi Erickson led all scorers with 18 points, half of which came in the first period.
Independence was led by Leah Oubre and Alydia Lyte, who scored six points each for the Lady Eagles.
Ravenwood girls 54, Independence 19
R 19 15 16 4 — 54
I 3 2 10 7 — 19
Ravenwood (54) — Lexi Erickson 18, Rachel Hillman 3, Elizabeth Flynn 7, Mary Prestegaard 5, Ava Lavigne 3, Katelyn Johnson 2, Reghan Grimes 16
Independence (19) – Leah Oubre 6, Guy Nichols 3, Alydia Lyte 6, Trinity Love 2, Ryan Brown 2
3-pointers – Ravenwood 7 (Erickson 3, Hillman, Prestegaard, Lavigne, Grimes), Independence 4 (Oubre 2, Nichols, Brown)
Ravenwood boys 84, Independence 78
R 20 17 25 22 — 84
I 21 18 17 22 — 78
Ravenwood (84) – Myles Pollard 4, Andrew Lamund 16, Owen Grismore 3, Ben Bunga 9, Connor English 14, Jake Mulder 23, Noah Clifford 15
Independence (78) – Colin Wright 7, Jett Montgomery 6, Owen Ries 5, Tyus Anderson 17, Sam Womack 4, Josh Owens 2, Jaxson Campbell 8, River Katina 15, Cameron Bell 12, Ty Lockwood 2
3-pointers – Ravenwood 6 (Grismore, Bunga, English 3, Clifford), Independence 6 (Montgomery 2, Katina 2, Ries, Anderson)