Lexington boys dominate boards, knock off rival River Bluff in key Region 5-5A matchup
The Lexington and River Bluff Region 5-4A boys basketball showdown can be summed up in one simple second half possession.
The Wildcats didn’t score on that possession, but they had seven shots at it. They routinely dominated the glass and held a huge advantage on second chance points as they rolled to a 51-27 victory in front of packed gym at River Bluff.
Lexington (13-8, 3-1) outscored the Gators 27-2 on second-chance points and totally dominated the second half after holding a five-point lead at the half.
“I thought River Bluff had always done a really good job of effecting the rebound…and that was one of our points of emphasis in limiting their second chance points,” first-year Lexington coach Elliott Pope said. “If your totals are correct, they must have listened.”
River Bluff coach Ben Lee said that was a point of emphasis for his team as well.
“We’ve been talking to everybody, we’ve been drilling everybody that you have to give them one shot each possession. They got a lot every time they went down,” Lee said.
River Bluff (15-6, 2-2) played without two of its top scorers Malachi Reeves and Myles Jenkins and it showed. The Gators were limited to 10 points in the second half and made two field goals.
“We needed guys to make shots,” Lee said. “They needed to prepare themselves for that and it didn’t happen. That’s on me.”
Cam Scott scored 20 points to lead the Wildcats. He started to assert himself in the second half and was instrumental in Lexington taking total control in the third quarter after holding a 22-17 lead at the half.
Senior Adin Daniels added 16 points and was a force in the paint. Ten of his points came off offensive rebounds and stick backs.
A star in the making
Scott could very easily be the next big thing in the Midlands. He’s just an eighth grader but the 6-foot-4 guard shows poise and skill beyond his age. He controlled the tempo, routinely bringing the ball up against pressure and scored when he needed too.
“Cam does a great job of playing the game within himself. That is something a young kid usually struggles with sometimes. He did a good job of shooting the shots he’s comfortable with and distributing the basketball when he needed too,” Pope said.
Ailing Gators
River Bluff came in without two of its top playmakers. Reeves has been out since around Christmas and isn’t expected to return this season. Myles Jenkins, the team’s second-leading scorer, also was gone and that lack of firepower was a difference. Jenkins has an MCL sprain and should be back next week.
“Life doesn’t work out because you want it to work out,” Lee said. “Bad things happen, you deal with it. It’s an opportunity for somebody. They have to take advantage of that opportunity and that’s not what happen.”
Tied for first at halfway point
Lexington finishes the first half of the Region 5-4A schedule with a 3-1 mark. Pope is in his first season after taking over for hall of fame coach Bailey Harris and he had to replace the entire starting lineup from a season ago.
The Wildcats are tied with Dutch Fork. River Bluff is in third at 2-2 while Chapin and White Knoll are tied for fourth at 1-3.
“If we’re being honest with ourselves, that’s a depleted River Bluff team and that’s a team that will come back strong in the second half of region play. This was great for kids, great for our fans but understand they come over to our place in 12 days and they will have retribution on their mind,” Pope said.“It’s great that we got through the first half 3-1 but it would be even better if we get through the second half 4-0.
Boys basketball
Lexington 51, River Bluff 27
L – Cam Scott 20, Adin Daniels 16, Rivers 6, Reed 4, Barnes 2, Bouknight 2, Davis 1. RB – Tae’Jon Myers 12, Stills 9, Cranshaw 4, Reeves 2.
Girls basketball
Lexington 72, River Bluff 68 (OT)
L – Alexis Sexton 32, Lindsay Garner 22, Yanity 7, Crouch 4, Hilton 4, Nichols 3. RB – Sumira Khalil 20, Japonica Wilson 19, Jaden Tucker 13, Perry 7, Rozier 3, Smith 2, Murray 2, Fletcher 2.
This story was originally published January 28, 2020 at 10:51 PM.
