Bay's strong free throw shooting dooms Rebels 59-47

Riverside and Bay renewed its annual basketball rivalry Tuesday night at Lake City, with the Yellowjackets coming out on top, 59-47, in a game where both teams struggled from the field.

Bay managed to take a slim 9-8 edge after the first period on an inside bucket by Dustin Utley. The Rebels bounced back in the second quarter, grabbing a 13-9 lead on a short jumper by Brandon Sain, followed by a Sain three pointer. But the Yellowjackets stormed back, thanks to a torrid showing at the foul line, hitting 16-16 free throws during the quarter to grab a 31-21 halftime lead.

Riverside sliced the Bay advantage to seven early in the third period when Luke Baker and Gavin Stone drilled back to back treys. But the Yellowjackets went on an 11-2 run to take a 47-31 lead at the 1:18 mark. The Rebels fought back to close the gap to 10 at the end of the quarter when Sain and Levi Reed buried consecutive threes.

Riverside's Bret Snyder (11) eyes the bucket while Bay's Jonathan Crain defends in senior high basketball action Tuesday night at Lake City.

Utley scored Bay's first six points of the final frame to help the Yellowjackets maintain its lead, and when Colton Watson completed a three point play at the 4:16 mark, Bay held an insurmountable 56-39 advantage. A pair of Baker treys wrapped around a Braden Overman bucket trimmed the final margin to 12 points.

Watson led Bay with 18 points while Utley finished with 10. Crain and Tyler Pritchett both netted nine points apiece. The Yellowjackets drained 30-36 free throw attempts and hit one three pointer on the night.

Kollin Stone topped the Rebels with 13 points while Sain ended the night with 12. Baker scored nine, Gavin Stone and Overman tallied five points apiece while Reed chipped in three. The Rebels connected on 3-6 foul shots and nailed 11 three pointers on the evening.

Junior High

In junior high action, Riverside outlasted Bay 65-56 in an overtime thriller. The two teams finished tied 53-53 at the end of regulation, thanks to a three pointer by Bay's Robert McFadden in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter. Riverside took control in the extra period, thanks to a pair of clutch baskets by Ethan Cash to help the Rebels outscore Bay 12-3 and secure the victory.

The Rebels led 17-16 after the first quarter and held a 35-31 lead at the half. Bay battled back to take a 43-41 edge entering the fourth quarter before sending the game into overtime.

Ethan Cash led the Rebels with a team high 26 points. Dillon Turner and Keech Wilmoth scored 13 points apiece. Landon Moyer netted eight while Dillon Boatman chipped in three points.

McFadden poured in a game high 33 points to lead Bay.

In junior girls action, Bay slipped past Riverside 39-35. Whitlee Layne led the Lady Yellowjackets with 19 points. Abby Frisby and Mallory Hartley scored eight points each while Bailee Bowers and Sara Blackman chipped in two points apiece.

Bailey Fisher topped the Lady Rebels with 15 points while Brittney Sain tallied 10. Hannah Shinall scored five, Briley Douglas tallied three while Hailey Carr chipped in two points.

Riverside will return to action Tuesday night at Ridgefield Christian before hosting Armorel Friday night at Lake City. The Lady Rebels travel to Maynard Monday night before playing host to Armorel Friday night.