Rebels open new gym with four game sweep of Armorel

Riverside celebrated the opening of its new basketball arena with a four game sweep of the Armorel Tigers Friday night at Lake City. The night began with a 39-12 victory by the junior girls, followed by the junior boys' 50-22 win over Armorel. The only close game of the evening came in the senior girls contest where the Lady Rebels came away with a hard fought 45-40 victory. The Rebels completed the sweep when the senior boys rolled over the Tigers 65-47.

"It was a good opening night, 4-0, a good ole sweep," said Riverside boys coach Buster Campbell. "In our senior boys game, it was our opener. It was kind of wild and crazy at times. We did some good things and some bad things, but overall I thought we played well. We rebounded well tonight, but Armorel will be one of the smaller teams we play all year. I thought our defense played well. We really hustled and got after the ball. We are tickled to death with our new gym. We had a good crowd. We are really excited about our new arena."

In the opener, Natalie Miligan paced the junior Lady Rebels in scoring with 12 points. Ashlyn Snyder followed with nine while Chelsea Nichols, Gattlin Hale and Skylar Kauke scored four points apiece. Megan Davidson, Abbie Love and Sara Chamness added two points each. Riverside jumped to a 15-0 lead after the opening quarter and stretched their advantage to 24-5 by halftime. The Lady Rebels took a 37-7 bulge into the final frame.

In the junior boys contest, Bradon Sain and Kollin Stone pumped in 15 points apiece while Victor Carda also hit double figures with 14 points. Devon Austin, Branden Towery and Nick Hayes added two points apiece. Riverside stormed to a 25-4 lead after the first quarter and held a 35-12 advantage at the half. The Rebels took a 46-19 lead into the final period of play.

In the senior girls game, Riverside held a slim 10-9 edge after the opening period, but Armorel rallied to tie the game 20-20 heading into the dressing room at intermission. The Lady Rebels outscored the Tigers 11-10 in the third quarter to take a 31-30 lead enter the final frame. Kenzley Wilson poured in a game high 22 points to lead all scorers. Bekah Frayer and Lindsey Bennett scored nine and eight points respectively while Catlyn Sailor added three. Tara Campbell and Anna Brickell rounded out the Lady Rebel offensive attack with two points apiece. Riverside finished the night 16-27 from the foul line and hit two treys on the night.

Alexis Best led Armorel with 14 points while Stacy Jo Spurlin added 10.

Logan Meurer poured in a game high 19 points to lead Riverside to an 18 point victory in the senior boys contest. Cole Winford and Alteeno Sain also hit double figures, scoring 11 points apiece. Morgan Fletcher tallied Braden Peaster scored six points, Dylan Wright netted four, Caleb Waugh chipped in three while Jacob Jordan and Cody Wells added two points apiece.

Sam Warren drilled three treys to lead Armorel with nine points. Riverside opened a 17-6 lead after the opening period and held a 20 point advantage at the half, 34-14. The Rebels stretched their lead to 48-26 after three periods of play.

The junior boys and girls will participate in the Marmaduke Invitational Tournament beginning Monday and running through Friday.

The Lady Rebels will host Bay Monday night before closing out the week by traveling to Weiner to take on the Lady Cardinals on Thursday.

The junior and senior boys will host Bay Tuesday night before closing out the week with another home game against the Black Rock Zebras.