By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
It may have been any one thing or it may have been a combination of any three or four things but whatever it was it was enough to lift Ritchie County to a 60-50 victory over visiting Calhoun Monday night in the LKC 9th Place playoff game.
It could have been when point guard Ethyn Miller picked up two fouls early in the game putting him on the bench for an extended period of time and breaking up a tight contest allowing the Rebels to take a 20-8 lead after the first quarter.
It could have been when starting Calhoun center Sam Brady injured his ankle in the second half taking the 6-4 rebounder, and leading Calhoun scorer (he had a team high 11 points) out of the contest.
It may have been inconsistent foul calling where touches were fouls out front while collisions weren't under the basket where Ritchie size (the Rebels inside men were much beefier) gave it am advantage.
Or, it could have been the number of fouls called, which favored the Rebels. Ritchie went to the free throw line for 39 shots, hitting 20 while Calhoun shot only 18, making 11.
It could have been any of these things or any combination of these things since all happened and the Rebels came away with the victory.
The big Rebels were led by point guard AJ Collins with a game high 23 while burly inside player Riley Allen added 20. Dustin Miller chipped in with 10 and Travis Pickering added seven. They were the only Rebels to score,
Brady led Calhoun with 11 before being injured while Miller added 10 before fouling out. They were the only two Red Devils to hit double figures.
Dylan Heiney added eight, Tyler Sims seven, William Baker six, Tyler Gerwig four and Zack Yanero and Luke Sheldon two each. Lucas Wilson and Dakota Jarvis both played but did not score.
The Rebels also won the junior varsity game pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 55-35 victory.
Austin Gribble led the Red Devils with 11 while Soney Wilson added eight. Caden Hicks and Ben Frederick had four apiece while Case Carter, Ross Vineyard and Jaron Hall added two each. David Washington, Chris Kirkland, Caleb Nicholas and Noah Allen all played but did not score.
Casey Sullivan led Ritchie with 15 while Shane Davis added 11.
Calhoun will play its last regular season game of the season Thursday night against Gilmer. It is Senior Night for the Red Devils.
Following Thursday's game the Red Devils will play on the road in the first round of the sectional tournament.
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