The Joe Genung era got off to a climactic start on Tuesday night.
Reed’s new coach watched from the bench as his defense forced an errant three ball from the corner to hang on and down
Damonte, 64-61, at home in Tuesday’s season opener.
“What an exciting game,” Genung said. “A nail biter to the end, probably a little closer than I wanted on that.”
Damonte gained possession with less than 20 seconds left, down three, and coach D.J. Moore opted to call a timeout and draw up a play. Reed’s defense prevented the Mustangs from getting a look, forcing Moore to call another timeout with three seconds left.
The heave the buzzer wasn’t close, giving the Raiders (1-0, 1-0) a big early season win.
Jeremy Ramos was the difference in the second half. After being held to four first-half points, the senior exploded out the locker room to finish with 25. He hit four triples in the third quarter.
His burst of jumpers helped the hosts grab their largest lead of the night, 44-37, midway through the third quarter. Damonte (0-1, 0-1) answered with a 12-0 run to go up by five.
Ramos buried his fourth and final triple at the end of the quarter to end Damonte’s run and kick start an 8-0 Reed run that put the Raiders back in front, 52-49 early in the fourth.
Despite the lead growing no larger than three the rest of the way, Reed did not trail again.
“We had some big shots by guys stepping up, getting to the line,” Genung said. “(It was) a lot of fun.”
Damonte’s Drew Damboise got penetration all night and finished with a game-high 27 points.
Lincoln Turner went for 15 in the win.
Reed went on a 10-0 run in the second quarter to turn a 24-17 defecit into a three-point lead. Damboise banked home a three from the top of the key at the buzzer to send the teams to the locker room knotted at 27-27.
The Raiders will play in a non-league tournament this weekend before continuing 4A North play next Tuesday at Bishop Manogue (1-0, 1-0).
Cougars cruise over Colts
Spanish Springs had no trouble whatsoever at home against Wooster in Tuesday night’s season opener.
The Cougars rolled 68-19 in a contest that featured running clock the second half.
Jalen Townsell led all scorers with 18 points, followed by 12 from Marcus Loadholt and 10 from Josh Prizina.
Justus Eaglesmith just missed double figures, finishing with nine.
Spanish Springs (1-0, 1-0) led 30-7 after the first quarter and 48-10 at the half.
Ben Ginn led the Colts with eight points in the loss.
The Cougars will play in the Wild West Shootout this weekend at Bishop Manogue, starting Thursday at 5:30 p.m. against St. Mary’s (Stockton, Calif.).
The rejoin 4A North play next Tuesday at Carson – the reigning regional champ.
4A North Scoreboard
Reed 64, Damonte Ranch 61
McQueen 71, Douglas 51
Spanish Springs 68, Wooster 19
Galena 61, North Valleys 29
Bishop Manogue 87, Hug 43
Reno-Carson rescheduled
Leave a Reply