Riverview ousts Seminoles from state tourney

By STEVE KNOX

Osceola Times

Osceola got off to a slow start and despite a late rally was unable to overcome the Riverview Raiders, dropping a 67-53 decision in the first round of the 3A Boys Tournament at Lamar High School.

T.I. Nimmers tries to avoid two defenders as he fires a shot during the Seminoles opening round loss to Riverview. (Photos By Amanda Wright)

Osceola fell behind early and never was able to catchup with the Raiders. Riverview made the first three buckets of the game, before the Seminoles Jerry Long drained a long three-pointer to make it an 7-3 game. Osceola made it 7-5 on a rebound bucket by Jeriyan Long before the Raiders scored five points in a row to take a 12-5 lead.

Osceola pulled to within five points at 12-7 on a floater in the lane by Jerry Long and then get within two on a long three by Nimmers with 1:33 to play in the half.

But the Raiders scored the final four points of the period to take a 15-10 lead to the second period.

Tony McNeal hands off to Tyler Bell as the Seminoles run their offense. Unfortunately for the Noles, the team had an off-night offensively in the loss to Riverview.

The teams swapped three-pointers to start the second quarter with Jerry Long hitting the long bomb to make it 18-13. Following a Riverview basket, Tony McNeal drew Osceola within four points at 20-16 with a long three-pointer.

That would, however, be the Seminoles final points of the half as Riverview went on a 14-0 run to close the second quarter to take a 34-16 lead to the break.

Osceola scored the first basket of the second half after forcing a Riverview turnover. Torian Bell, Jr. got the basket on a rebound put back to make it 34-18. Jerry Long then nailed a long three to make it 36-21. The Raiders outscored the Seminoles over the next few minutes to take a 44-22 advantage with Bell scoring the only Seminole points on a free throw with 5:12 to play. Riverview scored the next six points to double up the advantage.

Richard High (second, from left) and Tony McNeal watch anxiously and prepare to rebound the basketball.

Richard High got Osceola within 20 on a pair of free throws with 3:13 to play. The Seminoles ramped up the pressure and it paid off with a turnover and a long three-pointer by Nimmers to make it 44-27. Nimmers then hit two free throws with 1:40 to play to make it 44-29.

Riverview made it 46-29 before Jeriyan Long converted a rebound bucket to make it 46-31. Osceola missed a chance to get closer with 49 seconds to play but Jeriyan Long was unable to convert two free throws and then his brother Jerry Long would make one-of-two with 33 seconds to play to get Osceola within 14 points. A Seminole steal failed to yield points and a Raiders turnover ended the period with Riverview up by 14 points.

The final quarter saw the Seminoles make a push as McNeal hit a rebound bucket and then hit a free throw with 7:07 to play to make it 46-35. Nimmers got to the line with 6:49 to play and hit a free throw to make it a 10-point game. A steal by Nimmers led to a bucket by High to make it an eight-point game at 46-38. Riverview scored on a break away to make it 48-38, but Osceola would make another push. A Jerry Long basket made it 48-40. Riverview scored to make it 50-40. And Jeriyan Long converted to make it 50-42 game with five minutes to go. But that would be as close as the Seminoles came as the Raiders scored eight unanswered points to take a 58-42 lead and the Seminoles would eventually fall, 67-53.

Richard High initiates the offense as Riverview defends the goal with a zone defense. Osceola shot just 27 percent from the field which contributed to the loss.

Osceola was hampered by poor shooting only making shots at a 27 percent clip. The Seminoles had 31 rebounds, led by Jeriyan Long’s eight boards. The Seminoles were led by Nimmers who had 15 points, Jerry Long had 11, Jeriyan Long had eight points, as did Tony McNeal. Osceola ends the 2022-23 season with a record of 14-.7

Tristan Cunningham led Riverview with 27 points as the Raiders shot a blazing 54 percent from the field.

Riverview met Bergman in a quarterfinal Friday.