Keith Matthews (1) collides with the Gator defense. (Photo/Kristy Kimball Massey)
BLYTHEWOOD (Dec. 19, 2016) – The Blythewood boys opened up an early lead on River Bluff and never looked back Friday night.
Three Bengals scored in double figures, with Robert Braswell leading the way with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a 74-44 victory over the Gators Friday night at the Blythewood gym.
“Our guys played well, executed well,” Blythewood head coach Zeke Washington said. “Their guys had good schemes, some schemes we’re gonna see later on, and it was good that we had a chance to get everybody in.”
Tre Jackson also scored 14 points — sinking four 3-pointers along the way — and Khalil Shakir-Harris put up 10 points with his second-half inside shooting.
Blythewood (5-2, 1-1 in Region V-5A) started on the perimeter as always, with Jackson hitting a pair of 3-pointers around a Keith Matthews jumper to go up 8-0 in the first minute of play. The Bengals kept a steady pace and built a 21-9 lead going into the second quarter.
Blythewood took a 37-14 lead going into the half, which enabled the Bengals to use the rest of their bench in the second half. All but two players on the roster scored in the game.
“That’s big for us, to get everybody to play and get a chance to work some football players in,” Washington said, noting the late-game entrance of Sekwan Jenkins. “He’s an athlete. We know what we got with him, we’ve just got to get him acclimated back to what we do.”
Aaron Adams led River Bluff with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Matthew Proffitt added 12.
Blythewood’s next appearance will be against Porter Gaud Wednesday in the Chick Fil-A Classic.
“They’re pretty good,” Washington said. “I just haven’t had much time to think on them. I know they’re pretty good, I just didn’t want to overlook these guys (River Bluff).”
Blythewood 74, River Bluff 44
RB: 9-5-11-19 – 44
BHS: 21-16-16-21 – 74
River Bluff
Aaron Adams 14, Matthew Proffitt 12, Matthews 7, Reeves 4, Cribb 3, Kight 2, Trapp 2.
Blythewood
Robert Braswell 14, Tre Jackson 14, Khalil Shakir-Harris 10, Matthews 8, Breeland 8, Bowers 6, Riley 4, Jenkins 4, Thompson 2, Johnson 2, Williams 2.
