'C' comes up big when it counts for Crusaders play

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Player's only bucket lifts Riverdale Baptist to victory.

February 19, 2013 - The setting was set: Maret (DC) and homestanding Riverdale Baptist were deadlocked at 59 with 27 seconds in regulation. This occurred after a second half in which both teams jockeyed for supremacy. Expectantly free throws played a key role, with both teams making and missing charity stripes. As the clock read a tick below sixty seconds, there was little reason to believe charity stripers would continue to play a key role.

Not. Senior guard Carlton ‘C’ Carter drove and rolled the ball into the hoop with just 1.5 seconds to play – his only points of the game - propelling Riverdale Baptist to a 61-59 thrilling win. Maret would get a good look at the basket before the final buzzer, but the shot hit back iron.

Carlton Carter was the game's hero.

Riverdale Baptist was led by senior guard Nigel Johnson’s 22 points (also a game high), doing so in front of Chris Cheeks, assistant coach at Delaware and George Washington’s head man, Mike Lonergan – Nigel orally committed to GW in the fall, but has yet to sign a letter of intent. Both schools seem to be interested, as are reportedly a host of others.

Senior swingman Ronald Whittaker, a key reason for Riverdale’s victory given his 7-9 free throw performance (including five in the fourth quarter), finished with 13 points and seven points for RBS (24-10). Junior center Chinanu Onuaku tallied 10 rebounds and six points, while senior guard Marquis Powell joined him with that scoring output. Senior forward Khary Doby accounted for eight points and four rebounds.

Maret (22-4) boasted a pair of 16 point performers; junior guard Steffen Davis and senior forward Ture Lawrence. The Frogs next play in Mid-Atlantic Conference playoff action.

If the second half was marked by drama, this game’s first was more humdrum, being dominated by effective zone defenses throttling point production, leaving the score 28-24 at intermission. Maret continued using their 2-3 zone, while Riverdale, who took on Avalon this evening, ended up deploying a sagging man to man look that pressured shooters while still clogging the lane.

The Crusaders will soon enter Capital Beltway conference playoff competition.

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Recruiting Roundup:

Tre Bowens – A physical player that attempts to power everything to the cup, Bowens, standing 6’3” and weighing around 240 pounds has accepted a scholarship to Towson, where he expects to play defensive end. The likes of FAMU also recruited Bowens, as standout at Maret.

Ronald Whittaker – Well known for his slashing, high flying style, Whittaker, of Riverdale Baptist, has to continue developing his ball handling and shooting. It’s not that he can’t pat or pull up, but for college Ronald needs to be able to handle under pressure more effectively, as well as consistently hit jumpers from both mid-range and long distance.

As a 6’4”, 175 pound athlete, Whittaker has received recruiting interest from varied schools, including DePaul, FAMU, Florida Gulf Coast, Barton, Mt. Olive, Quinnipiac, and West Virginia.