Riverside closed out the 2A-3 conference season, splitting a pair of league games last week. The Rebels squeezed by Cross County 71-69 in triple overtime Tuesday night at Cherry Valley before falling to East Poinsett County 67-62 Friday night at Lake City.
Gavin Stone dropped in a free throw with six seconds remaining to seal Riverside's OT thriller over the Thunderbirds. Luke Baker led the Rebels with 24 points while Stone scored 22.
Joshua Richardson pumped in a game high 32 points and pulled down 12 boards to lead the Thunderbirds. Anfernee Davis also contributed a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds while Austin Phelan chipped in 13 points.
Riverside won the junior high contest 36-28.
Riverside trailed EPC 47-30 entering the fourth quarter of Friday night's game before putting on a furious rally that fell just short in the Rebel's five point loss. Riverside (14-13, 9-7 2A-3) got a huge night from senior Luke Baker, who scorched the nets for 30 points while grabbing nine rebounds. Stone pitched in 19 points and handed out six assists.
The Warriors placed five players in double digits, led by Xzavier Reed's 21 points. Clay Malone tallied 14, Kenyon Dorsey netted 12, J'Sebian Brown had 11 while Montrell James added 10.
In junior high action, Riverside improved to 15-11 overall and 10-6 in league play with a 38-36 victory over EPC. Demo Bowers banged home the game winner, drilling a three pointer at the buzzer to give the Rebels the come from behind victory. Latrell Brown led Riverside with 14 points while Hunter Swaim chipped in 11.
T.J. Bush topped the junior Warriors with a game high 18 points.
Riverside returns to the hard court Tuesday night with a road trip to Manila before closing out the regular season Friday night at Brookland.
The junior Rebels will open district tournament play Monday afternoon at 5:15 against BIC at Lepanto.
In girls action, Riverside blasted Cross County 62-29 Monday night at Cherry Valley before dropping a 64-52 decision to EPC Thursday night at Lake City.
Haven Robertson scored a game high 19 points to lead the Lady Rebels past the Lady Thunderbirds. Brittany Sain contributed 15 while Bailey Fisher netted 14.
Riverside claimed the junior girls game 40-21.
Krystan Vornes pumped in 19 points and grabbed 20 rebounds to lead EPC over the Lady Rebels Friday night. Becca Bishop pitched in 12 for the Lady Warriors, who improved to 18-7 overall and 12-2 in conference play.
Riverside (19-11, 9-5 2A-3) got a 22 point performance from Robertson while Fisher netted 12.
The Junior Lady Rebels (24-8, 9-5 2A-3) pounded EPC 38-19. Briley Douglas led Riverside with 19 points while Lotti Hoffman added 10.
The Lady Rebels finish the regular season on the road Monday night at Manila while the Junior Lady Rebels open district tournament play this week at EPC.