Westwood tops Keenan in Bojangles Bash opener
Westwood was hoping a quick start against Keenan at the Fifth Annual Bojangles Bash would give the Redhawks added confidence with a tough December slate and rough region schedule on the horizon.
After a slow first quarter, the Redhawks rebounded to make 10 3-pointers overall to pull away for a 56-39 victory against Class 2A preseason No. 1 Keenan to open the three-day basketball showcase event at Ridge View High.
“It’s always good to play Keenan,” Westwood coach Jeff Dibattisto said. “They are a class program with great coaching. We need these kind of games to get ready for our region. I’m proud of how hard our guys played tonight.”
Tyrrell Huff led the way for Westwood. The junior transfer from Texas went 6-of-7 from the 3-point line and finished with 20 points. He made two long-range shots in the first half before connecting on four in the second half.
Russell Jones added two 3-pointers in the second quarter, when the Redhawks outscored the Raiders 18-8 to take a 25-10 halftime lead.
Jones and Zachary Dunlap hit back-to-back threes to start a 13-3 run that gave Westwood control.
The Redhawks finished 10-of-17 from long range and shot 68.8 percent (11-of-16) from the field in the second half.
“We definitely feel we have a number of guys that can knock down perimeter shots. Our key is to not fall in love with the three, but, rather, have balance. Tonight was one of those nights where they were going in, particularly for Tyrrell.”
While Westwood was having a solid shooting night, Keenan played an uncharacteristic first half and never could recover. The Raiders shot 4-of-15 from the field in the opening two quarters with 10 turnovers.
Things didn’t improve much in the second half. Dillon Jones and Raekwon Horton scored 11 points apiece for the Raiders, but the 18 turnovers and 9-of-22 performance from the free throw line was too much to overcome.
Coach Zach Norris started four sophomores, and it’s been a learning experience for last year’s Class 2A runner-up.
“I thought we played better in the second half, in spurts, because they finally realized they just have to play,” Norris said. “If we can get them to all buy into the system, because right now, they aren’t buying into the system, then we’ll be all right. It’s that simple.”
W – Tyrrell Huff 20, Russell Jones 12, Wormack 9, Stroman 6, Dunlap 6, Green 2, Coleman 1. K – Dillon Jones 11, Raekwon Horton 11, Taylor 9, Stone 6, Da’Sant 2.
Rock Creek Christian Academy 50, Ridge View 47
Ridge View wasted a 19-point third quarter lead in falling 50-47 to Rock Creek Christian Academy out of Maryland.
Jon Preston led the visitors with 14 points and USC recruiting target Jermaine Harris finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds despite playing just two minutes in the first half because of foul trouble.
Crosby Harris-James and Walyn Napper scored 15 each for Ridge View (2-2).
RC – Jon Preston 14, Jermaine Harris 13, Kyle Rose 10, Anderson 7, Evans 5, Brown 1. RV – Crosby Harris-James 15, Walyn Napper 15, Wilson 4, Anderson 4, Green 3, Jenkins 2, McKenny 2, Rice 2.
Huntington Prep (WV) 77, Orangeville (CAN) 61
O – Kesahun Saunders 15, Ignas Brazdeikis 14, Matthew Moncrieffe 10, Jones 8, Rahtan-Mayes 5, Farquhar 4, Lepp 3, Barthelemy 2. HP – Marvin Price 15, Quinn Salzinski 13, Jonathan Kuminga 13, Brakefield 9, James 9, Nwuba 6, Christmas 6, McNeilly 6.
BOJANGLES BASH SCHEDULE
Friday
6 p.m. – Huntington Prep (WV) vs. Rock Creek (Md.)
7:15 p.m. – Ridge View vs. Orangeville (Canada)
8:30 p.m. – Gray Collegiate vs. Trinity Christian (NC)
Saturday
Noon – Ben Lippen vs. West Florence
1:30 p.m. – Word of God (NC) vs. A.C. Flora
3 p.m. – Sumter vs. Dorman
4:30 p.m. – Trinity Christian (NC) vs. Orangeville (Canada)
6 p.m. – North Mecklenburg (NC) vs. Huntington Prep (WV)
7:30 p.m. – Cox Mill (NC) vs. Ridge View
9 p.m. – Gray Collegiate vs. Lower Richland
This story was originally published December 7, 2017 at 9:23 PM with the headline "Westwood tops Keenan in Bojangles Bash opener."