Both stories originally appeared in The Times-News of Burlington, N.C. For the girls’ story, click here. For the boys’ story, click here.
River Mill girls stroll through first round
by Zachary Horner
GRAHAM — His team’s victory in the first round of the Class 1-A state playoffs had River Mill girls’ basketball coach Hamilton Perkins echoing a regional hero.
“Survive and advance, as Jim Valvano once said,” he said. “Tournament time, anything can happen, it’s all about surviving and advancing.”
Captains from the River Mill and Camden County girls’ basketball teams meet at halfcourt before their game Monday night. Photo by Zachary Horner
River Mill got double-figure scoring from three different players and defeated Camden County 57-24 on Monday night. The Jaguars (24-3) will face Franklin Academy on Wednesday night at home in the second round.
The host Jaguars broke out a six-point lead at the end of the first quarter after Daijah Faucette hit a 3-pointer with time expiring. But two quick buckets from Camden County brought the score to 12-10 with 5:33 left in the second quarter.
River Mill erupted from there, going on a 21-4 run during the remainder of the second quarter and limiting the Bruins to just four field goals in the quarter. In that stretch, River Mill’s Lenaira Ruffin scored nine straight points. She ended the night with 12 overall, all in the first half.
“We talked to them at the end of the first quarter about the fact that at tournament time everyone is hungry, everyone is determined to not have their season end,” Perkins said. “Just as the other team was determined, we had to be determined as well.”
Camden County managed 10 points in the second half.
Faucette led all scorers with 15 points for River Mill, hitting all four of her free throws. Kayla Burns chipped in 10 points, while Lenaia Ruffin scored eight.
McKenzie Moore led Camden County with 11 points.
In preparations for Franklin Academy, Perkins’ message was simple.
“Just continue to play good fundamental basketball and survive and advance,” he said.
Duo picks up pace as River Mill boys advance
GRAHAM — A big 3-pointer gave the North Carolina School of Science and Math boys a two-point lead, and the momentum was on their side.
But River Mill’s Jesse Crawford and R.J. Alvarado said not so fast.
The duo combined for 38 points and helped the Jaguars defeat the visiting Unicorns 62-47 on Monday night in the first round of the Class 1-A state playoffs.
River Mill (15-12) will take on South Creek on Wednesday night at home.
The game went back and forth for the entire first half and most of the third quarter. The Unicorns led by four twice in that span, aided by 13 first-half points from Joseph Chukwu, who finished with 20 points.
“Although the score would indicate it was a pretty good game, the first half we were just sluggish, getting out on shooters contesting shots, a little stagnant on offense,” said River Mill coach Lemont Turner.
Chukwu hit a 3 to put NCSSM (6-15) ahead 34-32 with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter. That’s when River Mill came alive, thanks to Crawford and Alvarado.
It started with a jumper by Crawford to tie the score. He then found Cody Moore in the post for a layup to take the lead. Alvarado had eight straight points and the Jaguars led 44-37 just 16 seconds into the fourth quarter.
River Mill’s Seth Clapp, right, and North Carolina School of Science and Math’s Zach Tanner scramble for a loose ball as River Mill’s Hunter Rudd, far left, and Cody Moore look on. Photo by Sam Roberts, The Times-News.
“Give them credit,” said NCSSM coach Anthony Myles. “They rebounded the ball well in the third quarter, they got second chance opportunities and they deserved to win the game. My hat’s off to them.”
Chukwu, who scored 35 points in the Unicorns’ previous matchup, was limited to two points in the fourth quarter as the Jaguars ran away by hitting shot after shot. NCSSM pulled to within three with 6:23 left in the final frame, but River Mill went on a 9-0 run to go ahead by double digits for the remainder of the game.
Alvarado finished with a team-high 20 points, 14 in the final 10:31. Crawford contributed 18. Alec Buie scored nine points while Moore contributed eight points off the bench.
“I’ve said it all along, all year long, all last year. (Alvarado and Crawford) are the gas in the engine. We’re only as good as they are,” Turner said. “When they play well, then the whole team plays well. They seem to feed off of those two. Two tremendous players. I hate to lose them this year.”
Michael Kearney added 12 points for the Unicorns, who were outscored 40-22 in the second half.
“I just believe we need to continue to have to play good team ball,” Turner said. “Work hard, that’s the only chance that we will have in advancing, playing ball, working together, playing hard.”
Zachary Horner 