Hillsboro shoots the first set of free throws from back-to-back intentional fouls called on Ravenwood during a 37-second span in the fourth quarter. (Photos by Jason Hollingsworth for BHP)

Ravenwood misses out on opportunity to move into third place 

By JASON HOLLINGSWORTH
Brentwood Home Page
After three straight losses in the past two weeks, the controversy from Ravenwood's Jan. 6 meeting with district competitor Hillsboro might as well have taken place last season. It seemed that the only thing on the Raptors' minds was getting the season back on track coming into Tuesday night's rematch against the Burros in Green Hills – where a win for the Raptors would move them into third place in the District 11-AAA field.

“We need a win. That’s all there is to it,” RHS Coach Patrick Whitlock said before the game.

However, as it turned out, the Raptors fell to the Burros 64-50 and Ravenwood dropped from a promising 13-2 overall record and 2-0 district start to 13-6, 2-4. It was the fourth straight defeat following 11-AAA wins over Hillsboro and Centennial.

 “We feel that we have one of the better teams in the district, but I’m extremely disappointed with our effort tonight,” Whitlock said after the game. “This team has shown over the past four games that when we’ve faced adversity we’ve crumbled – that’s something we have to fix from within – and something that we’re going to die trying to do."

Ravenwood boys dropped their fourth straight loss in district play with the 64-50 defeat at Hillsboro on Tuesday night.

The first half was riddled with turnovers and fouls on both ends of the court, with the momentum never fully settling for either team. The Raptors couldn’t seem to fully capitalize on the opportunities at the free-throw line, and despite giving up 13 fouls in the first half, Hillsboro went into the locker room with the lead, 26-20.

The third quarter was undoubtedly the strongest for the Raptors. Guards Devin Robinson and Andy Moore both picked up the tempo up and down the court, and Joey Barnes battled under the rim to bring the Raptors within striking distance, and with two minutes left in the third quarter, Moore tied up the game 33-33.

As the Raptors took the floor in the fourth, they were only down 39-35 and as Coach Whitlock reminded his team on the bench, they were in the bonus for the rest of the half. But whatever hope was still left on the Raptors bench seemed to slowly dwindle in the fourth.

Frustrated Ravenwood fans watched in disbelief, as the Raptors were questionably issued two intentional fouls within 37 seconds of each other. Frustrations reached their peak when none of the three officials could definitively say whether or not a free throw had been made or not. After checking with the scorers' table, it was correctly determined that Ravenwood would be issued the point from the made free throw.

But that point wouldn’t make a difference in the end, as the Raptors would fall by the 14-point margin. 

“We just did not seem to want to get our nose dirty, and that’s something I can’t explain with so much at stake in a district race," Whitlock said. "But I’m very excited to get into the gym this week and get ready for Centennial. It’s either get with the ship or get off right now.”

When asked if he thought his team was hesitant to “get their noses dirty” as a result of the confrontation from their last matchup with Hillsboro, Whitlock answered instinctively, “To be honest, I think that should have motivated us a little bit. We just didn’t get it done, so I am really frustrated.”

Robinson led the team with 17 points and Moore contributed with 13 of his own – though the team went only 9 of 15 from the free throw line in the second half.

After the game, there was unfortunately an altercation involving some Ravenwood fans. It began in the gymnasium and spilled into the parking lot, drawing both a crowd of onlookers as well as a number of Metro Police. As one Ravenwood fan was questioned in handcuffs, a Metro officer said the incident involved two Ravenwood parents, but not anyone with Hillsboro.

Hillsboro 57, Ravenwood 34, girls

The Lady Raptors let a four-point game slip away after Erin Johnson was charged with a technical with 23 seconds left in the third quarter.

RHS only trailed 40-34 starting the fourth quarter, but after three Ravenwood turnovers the Burros ended up shutting out the Raptors in the fourth quarter, 17-0.

Lexi McKay and Logan Hodskins each scored 10 points for Ravenwood.