Keenan’s top-ranked, two-time defending state championship boys basketball team kept alive a number of significant winning streaks on Saturday.
The Raiders (23-3) defeated visiting Saluda 67-35 in the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs for their 15th straight win since losing to Richland Northeast in the Capital City Classic championship game in December. It was also the 12th straight postseason triumph for Zach Norris’ powerhouse. Moreover, the Raiders are 18-0 in first- and second-round outings since 2004.
“A win’s a win in the playoffs and we’re moving on but I didn’t think we brought our usual intensity at the start of the game,” Norris said.
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“We were kind of off and on all night, especially on defense where we were reaching in and fouling too much. You have these kinds of games sometimes, but we’re a veteran team and we didn’t allow things to get away from us.”
The biggest issue for the Raiders was a poor night shooting free throws. Keenan converted 24 of 44 chances at the line.
“We usually knock down the free throws pretty good, but not tonight for whatever reason,” Norris said. “Once we starting missing a few early in the game, it seemed like the lid snapped on the basket. We’ll work a little on getting the guys to relax when they go to the line.”
A big positive in the blowout was the team’s balanced offensive production.
“Balance is something we can’t stress enough,” Norris said. “We want four, five guys in double figures because that keeps everybody happy and involved.”
Erick Tisdale, Quinton Johnson, Trey Stroman and Marcus Stroman were the nominal Raiders leaders against Saluda. Tisdale led the way for 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field. Johnson tallied 17 points and hauled in nine rebounds. Trey Stroman had 11 points and 13 rebounds. Marcus Stroman finished with 10 points and three assists.
“Trey’s been a real soldier for us on the glass,” Norris said.
The only obvious flaw in the senior forward’s game was a tough night (8-for-19) at the line.
“I guess free throws aren’t my cup of tea, but you can bet I’ll be shooting a bunch of them before and after practice,” he said. “It was kind of a crazy game tonight, but we’ve been this way before and know that the only thing that matters is the bottom line.”
Sophomore guard Maurice Howard had 16 points for the Tigers (14-10).
S: Maurice Howard 16, Norris 9, Pratt 2, C. Holloway 6, Herbert 2. K: Marcus Stroman 10, Quinton Johnson 17, Harper 2, Rankin 2, Taylor 3, Curenton 1, Trey Stroman 11, Erick Tisdale 18, Woodward 2, Andrews 1.
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