ANDERSON LEADS BALANCED RAIDERS PAST BLUE DEVILS
They boys basketball team moved to 4-0 with a 66-56 win over undefeated Tallmadge.
The way the Raiders started the game set a tone that would last the whole night. Opening the first quarter on a 14-2 run the Raiders let everyone know they came to play. The Blue Devils wanted to play fast, and the only bad thing about the Raiders fast start was that it played into the Blue Devil’s hands. They began to speed up the Raiders offense and forced 5 consecutive turnovers to actually take a 16-14 lead at a point. From this point on the Raiders regrouped and regained control of the game. Tying the game at 16 before the end of the first frame was only the beginning.
The Raiders outscored the Blue Devils 17-10 in the second quarter lead by Jaxon Anderson who came into the game averaging 14.7 points a game. The Raiders gained a 7 point halftime lead at 33-26.
A fantastic effort from the Blue Devils Matt Francesconi kept them within striking distance for the entire second half. He scored a game high 27 points and hit three big second half shots to keep his team in it. Unfortunately his fortunes weren’t as good at the free throw line, getting there 12 times but only connecting on 6 shots. This helped the Raiders maintain a lead throughout the second half and go on to win 66-56.
The Raiders had 3 players in double figures with 2 others with 9 in their balanced offensive attack. Jaxon Anderson lead the way with 20, while Mike Cunningham added 12. For the second game in a row Chris Brooks was also in double figures with 11. The Raiders return to action Friday as they travel to Ursuline in their first true road game of the season. JV tips at 5:30.
