Surrounded by a host of purple Blazer jerseys, Blythewood’s Trae Churn comes up with the loose ball. (Photo/Kristy Kimball Massey)
BLYTHEWOOD – The Bengals’ (12-9, 2-3) basketball team dropped its second straight game last Friday night after exchanging the lead with Ridge View 22 times. The Blazers were able to outlast the Bengals 54-49.
Blythewood sophomore forward Cameron Womack received his first start at home and began the game with a bang by knocking down a 3-pointer from downtown to give the Bengals the early lead. With the scored tied a three, Ridge View’s Justin Alewine hit a trey of his own to give the Blazers their first lead. Trailing 10-9, Blythewood’s Donovan Leach joined in on the 3-point party and buried one as well to end the first quarter and give the Bengals a 12-10 advantage.
During the second quarter, each squad had a player shoulder the load for his respective team. Eli Lake scored nine of his game-high 16 points in the second quarter and Xavier Mason netted eight of his team-high 12 points to counter. Holding on to a one-point lead with the final seconds ticking away in the first half, Lake made true on one of his three 3-pointers to end the half and give the Bengals a 29-25 lead.
Blythewood stayed a step ahead of the Blazers in the third quarter, but Alewine buried a three at the buzzer to pull his team to within 42-41. With that shot, the momentum clearly shifted in the favor of Ridge View.
With a minute left in regulation and down 51-49, Lake and the Bengals became victim to a questionable traveling call. Lake received a pass, set his feet and knocked down what would have been his fourth 3-pointer of the game. However, the lead official saw it differently and blew his whistle. Despite the call, the Bengals stayed within striking distance. With 22 seconds remaining, down 52-49, Leach shot a 3-pointer that was off the mark and the Bengals were unable to fight off the Blazers.
With the win, Ridge View moved into second place in Region IV-4A with a 10-7 overall record including 4-1 in region play.
Blythewood was off Tuesday night, but will be back on the floor tonight (Jan. 30) when they travel to face Dutch Fork.
RV: 10-15-16-13 – 54
BH: 12-17-13-7 – 49
Individual Scoring – Blythewood: Ramel Johnson 2, Keith Matthews 7, Eli Lake 16, Khalil Harris 4, Cameron Womack 7, Donovan Leach 6, Sequan Jenkins 2, Trae Churn 5. Ridge View: Isaiah Hopkins 7, Khalil Lewis 2, Dextor Foster 10, Trent Robinson 4, Xavier Mason 12, Cainan Griffin 6, Justin Alewine 9, Lamondre Corely 4.
