The Varsity Boys Basketball team won two more critical Region 6-AAAAA contests and, with only one more Region game remaining in the regular season, are at the top of the Region standings. The final game of the regular season is Friday night, February 2 at home vs. Decatur. The Boys and Girls Basketball teams and the Basketball Cheerleaders are celebrating Senior Night Friday at the conclusion of the Girls game vs. Decatur.
Boys Varsity 2017-18 Schedule
REGION 6-AAAAA NOTES:
- Seeding for the Region 6-AAAAA tournament takes place Saturday, Feburary 3. Since the top four teams in the Region receive a "bye" in the first round of the tournament, the Raiders will have a few extra days to recharge before the postseason begins.
- Senior Rudy Fitzgibbons ranks #3 in scoring (averaging over 17 points/game) and #2 at the free throw line (82%).
GAME RECAPS:
Saturday, January 27 at home vs. Jackson, 77-69 victory
In a game to decide first place in the region, the Raiders hosted the Jackson Jaguars in front of a raucous home crowd. With the visitors riding a perfect 10-0 region record, including an earlier win over the Raiders, it was an exciting contest with the Raiders proving why they are the team to beat.
The Raiders jumped out to a quick 7-0 start and were up 21-11 at the end of the first quarter. At one point, the lead was 27-12; however, the Jaguars came charging back to come within six points at the half. A three-point buzzer-beater by Junior Davis Herndon gave the home team (and the home fans) a thrill, and a 33-27 advantage.
Although the Raiders put together another impressive offensive run to start the second half, and the Jaguars fell behind 40-27, Jackson did not give up. By the end of the third, the Jaguars were within eight ponts (52-44) and methodically worked their way to within three points. With only six minutes remaining in the game, the Raiders clung to a 56-53 edge. For the final fevered minutes, it was a back and forth affair. Every time the Raiders managed to gain some breathing room, Jackson responded with timely scoring. Ultimately, Jackson resorted to fouling to regain the ball; however, they picked the wrong player to foul in Rudy Fitzgibbons. Fitzgibbons was more than up for the challenge; he was 14-15 at the line in the final quarter.
As has been the case frequently this season, Fitzgibbons again dominated the offensive numbers. The senior point guard seemingly scored at-will and took the personal challenge to carry the team to victory. In the second half, it became an "our best player can beat your best player" event with Fitzgibbons finishing the game with a season-record 41 points, including an astounding 16-17 performance at the charity stripe. On the visitor's bench, Jackson's high scorer recorded 24 points, a very respectable night's work. Rounding out the Raider team scoring were Junior Davis Herndon (12 points) and Senior Christian Sutton (10 points).
Tuesday, January 30 at Lithia Springs, 77-63 victory
The Varsity Boys Basketball team traveled to Douglasville to take on the third place Lithia Springs Lions and came away with a 77-63 victory. Playing in front of the loudest crowd of the season, the Raiders thrived in the competitive atmosphere. The energized Raiders jumped ahead 14-1 in the first five minutes and stretched it to 22-5 by the end of the first quarter. Senior Rudy Fitzgibbons provided much of the first quarter's offensive highlights; he was 7-8 from the floor with some acrobatic drives to accompany the buckets. Despite their spirited fan support, the Lions were never able to get into the game. They trailed 41-24 at halftime, 60-46 after three, and lost by 14 (77-63).
Fitzgibbons led all scorers with 29 points and only one turnover. Sophomore Nathan Henderson knocked down 15 big points and a game-high 8 rebounds. Senior Christian Sutton contributed 14 points.