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The Parry McCluer High School boys basketball team swept Riverheads in a pair of games last week, winning in a 66-44 rout last Tuesday in Buena Vista before earning a 49-44 overtime victory on Friday at Riverheads.
In the first game, the Gladiators (2-4) jumped out to a 13-6 lead. Two free throws by PM’s Evan Cook started to swing the momentum to the Fighting Blues (4-5), who took a 14-13 lead into the second quarter.
The Blues went on a 9-0 run that gave them a 16-13 lead in the second quarter. PM’s Landon Catlett scored the first basket of the quarter, driving into the post for a layup. Teammate John Snider made two free throws after being fouled on successive layups, which helped the Blues extend their lead to 2618. Cook stretched the Blues’ lead even more, stealing the ball twice for breakaway layups late in the second half to extend the lead to 32-21 by halftime.
PM went on another 9-0 run to start the third quarter, getting a 3-pointer from Nathan Glass and a layup and free throw from Snider. The Blues led 50-38 at the end of the quarter.
To seal the win, the Blues went on a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter. During that stretch, Braedyn Houck made a 3-pointer, and Catlett hit two free throws.
Snider led the Blues with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Cook added 13 points and four steals.
After the game, PM head coach Tyler Kerr said, “Riverheads is a very athletic team. Riverheads used their athleticism to press us hard early in the game. I think that threw us off rhythm to start the game.”
Kerr praised his team for pulling through the early deficit. “We weathered the storm and found our groove,” he said. “When you get pressed hard, you get your opportunities, and we took them.”
The PM coach said he believed this was the Blues’ first complete performance of the season. “This was the first time I felt like we played, and finished, all four quarters of the game,” he said. “No one’s head went down early. I think that showed maturity in our group.”
PM 49, RHS 44
When the Blues traveled to Riverheads on Friday, they found themselves in an uphill battle, but they managed to pull out a 49-44 overtime win.
“Riverheads is a tough place to go and win at,” said Kerr.
The Blues trailed 23-20 at halftime, but Kerr said, “Even though we were down at halftime, I felt good about the way we were playing.”
The end of the game was tightly contested between the two teams, as they traded points before the showdown was tied at the end of regulation.
The Blues scored the first six points of the overtime period, which was enough for them to edge Riverheads.
The Blues were scheduled to play host to Pioneer District foe Highland County last night and will continue district action on Friday when they play host to Eastern Montgomery, starting with JV action at 5:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the Blues will play host to rival Rockbridge County and attempt to avenge a 47-41 road loss to the Wildcats on Dec. 22. Action will start with the JV girls’ game at 1 p.m., followed by the JV boys’ game at 2:30 p.m., the varsity girls’ game at 4 p.m., and the varsity boys’ game at 5:30 p.m.
The Blues will travel to take on nondistrict rival Nelson County on Tuesday, starting with JV action at 5:30 p.m.
