ERHS Blows By Riverheads, 56-33
Posted: January 12, 2013
ELKTON – East Rockingham High School turned up the pressure, forcing 22 Riverheads turnovers, en route to a 56-33 victory over the visiting Gladiators on Friday night in a Shenandoah District girls’ basketball bout.
Senior guard Jessica Lam was the main beneficiary of the Eagles’ three-quarters court press, scoring 15 of her game-high 21 points in the first quarter as the Eagles raced out to a 28-10 lead after eight minutes. By halftime, Riverheads had more turnovers (15) than points (12). The Eagles led 41-12 at the break before playing their bench most of the second half.
“Defense was a point of emphasis for us tonight,” ERHS coach Paul Comer said. “We were clicking right off the bat and forced them into some early errors.”
Riverheads coach Tim Morris was not particularly pleased with how his team handled the in-your-face press.
“When you are playing a good pressing team you have to show composure,” Morris said. “And we didn’t.”
With the game all but over by halftime, the ERHS second unit saw extended action. Riverheads outscored the Eagles in the second half 21-15, with the East Rock bench combining for nine points on the night. Those numbers would indicate a lack of depth for this Eagles squad compared to last year’s state champion team – not that it’s mattered as East Rock has extended its winning streak to 41 games.
“There isn’t the same continuity as last year just yet but we are getting there,” Lam said of the less-than-stellar second half.
Comer admitted that the Eagles’ second unit is still gelling.
“Sometimes we are going to be a little helter-skelter on the offensive end when the starters aren’t in,” he said.
Morris, who has coached against ERHS for years, thinks the Eagles’ success will not be hindered by their inexperience.
“[ERHS] is still very deep and talented,” Morris said. “They are a lot younger this year. Coach Comer will develop the younger players. He already proved it versus George Mason.”
Morris was referring to a Dec. 22 matchup where the Eagles won on the road at Division 2 defending state champion George Mason, 63-53. ERHS hosts George Mason in a rematch tonight at 7 p.m. in a battle of two heavyweights. Mason has won three state championships in the past four years.
“We better lace our shoes up tomorrow night,” Comer said. “Mason has some nice size and good shooters. They will be ready to go.”
The Eagles were efficient from the charity stripe Friday, making 16 of 17 free throws.
“We have been struggling a little bit from the line,” Comer said. “We have been shooting at the end of practice for penalties. We got our percentage up tonight”
RIVERHEADS
Heizer 1 2-4 4, Lovekamp 2 0-2 4, Coffey 1 1-2 3, Casto 2 5-6 9 Callison 2 0-0 4 Arbaugh 1 0-0 2, Milo 3 1-2 7. Totals 12-32 9-14 33.
EAST ROCKINGHAM
Dofflemyer 1 1-2 3, Comer 4 0-0 10, Cameron 4 2-2 12, McPike 0 2-2 2, Wilkins 1 2-2 4, Lam 6 9-9 21, Nicholson 1 0-0 2, Kisling 1 0-0 2. Totals 18-47 16-17 56.
Riverheads 10 2 12 9 - 33
East Rock 28 13 6 9 - 56
3-Point Goals— RHS 0 ERHS 4 (Comer 2, Cameron 2). Fouled Out—RHS None, ERHS None. Rebounds—RHS 25 (Heizer, Milo 6), ERHS 22 (Cameron 6). Total Fouls—RHS 13, ERHS 10.
JV score: ERHS 43-24
Senior guard Jessica Lam was the main beneficiary of the Eagles’ three-quarters court press, scoring 15 of her game-high 21 points in the first quarter as the Eagles raced out to a 28-10 lead after eight minutes. By halftime, Riverheads had more turnovers (15) than points (12). The Eagles led 41-12 at the break before playing their bench most of the second half.
“Defense was a point of emphasis for us tonight,” ERHS coach Paul Comer said. “We were clicking right off the bat and forced them into some early errors.”
Riverheads coach Tim Morris was not particularly pleased with how his team handled the in-your-face press.
“When you are playing a good pressing team you have to show composure,” Morris said. “And we didn’t.”
With the game all but over by halftime, the ERHS second unit saw extended action. Riverheads outscored the Eagles in the second half 21-15, with the East Rock bench combining for nine points on the night. Those numbers would indicate a lack of depth for this Eagles squad compared to last year’s state champion team – not that it’s mattered as East Rock has extended its winning streak to 41 games.
“There isn’t the same continuity as last year just yet but we are getting there,” Lam said of the less-than-stellar second half.
Comer admitted that the Eagles’ second unit is still gelling.
“Sometimes we are going to be a little helter-skelter on the offensive end when the starters aren’t in,” he said.
Morris, who has coached against ERHS for years, thinks the Eagles’ success will not be hindered by their inexperience.
“[ERHS] is still very deep and talented,” Morris said. “They are a lot younger this year. Coach Comer will develop the younger players. He already proved it versus George Mason.”
Morris was referring to a Dec. 22 matchup where the Eagles won on the road at Division 2 defending state champion George Mason, 63-53. ERHS hosts George Mason in a rematch tonight at 7 p.m. in a battle of two heavyweights. Mason has won three state championships in the past four years.
“We better lace our shoes up tomorrow night,” Comer said. “Mason has some nice size and good shooters. They will be ready to go.”
The Eagles were efficient from the charity stripe Friday, making 16 of 17 free throws.
“We have been struggling a little bit from the line,” Comer said. “We have been shooting at the end of practice for penalties. We got our percentage up tonight”
RIVERHEADS
Heizer 1 2-4 4, Lovekamp 2 0-2 4, Coffey 1 1-2 3, Casto 2 5-6 9 Callison 2 0-0 4 Arbaugh 1 0-0 2, Milo 3 1-2 7. Totals 12-32 9-14 33.
EAST ROCKINGHAM
Dofflemyer 1 1-2 3, Comer 4 0-0 10, Cameron 4 2-2 12, McPike 0 2-2 2, Wilkins 1 2-2 4, Lam 6 9-9 21, Nicholson 1 0-0 2, Kisling 1 0-0 2. Totals 18-47 16-17 56.
Riverheads 10 2 12 9 - 33
East Rock 28 13 6 9 - 56
3-Point Goals— RHS 0 ERHS 4 (Comer 2, Cameron 2). Fouled Out—RHS None, ERHS None. Rebounds—RHS 25 (Heizer, Milo 6), ERHS 22 (Cameron 6). Total Fouls—RHS 13, ERHS 10.
JV score: ERHS 43-24