Southampton Academy Raiders get holiday win
Published 3:21 pm Friday, January 3, 2014
Southampton Academy hosted its Third Annual Battle of the Border basketball event from Dec. 27-28.
The event, sponsored by Dr. Frank Taylor of the Boykin’s Family Practice, takes place each year during the Christmas holidays. Dale Marks, athletic director, stated that the event seeks to provide opportunities to play teams that you may not play during the regular season. It also reaches across the border to involve schools from North Carolina.
Tonee Hill drives to the basket in the first quarter. Photo by FRANK DAVIS
The final game of the event featured the Southampton Academy Raiders against the Knights of Suffolk Christian Academy.
The Raiders wasted no time in their easy 56-23 win against the Knights. From the tip-off to the final buzzer, it was all Raiders as they completely dominated all phases of the game.
In the first quarter of play, the Raiders jumped out with a 13-5 lead. Raider head coach Jim Tribbett in comments after the game spoke of the importance of defense. The Raiders showed much of it during the game as they held the Knights to three quarters in which their scoring was in the single digits.
By the end of the first half, the Raiders had upped their lead to 33-16. Aggressive play by the Raiders resulted in many turn-overs, steals and fast breaks that increased the scoring for the host team.
With the score 47-20 with 3:33 remaining in the third quarter, that score held until the fourth, as both teams hit a cold spell that lasted well into the final quarter of play.
Tonee Hill and Cam Hines led the scoring for the Raiders with 22 and 16 points respectively. Nathan Leiter was the only Knight in double figures with 15 points.
Coach Tribbett remarked that it is always good to get a win and especially at home where the local fans can see the team play.
The Raiders also rolled to a 55-21 victory the night before against Ridgecroft, who had defeated SA in the first game of the season in an overtime basketball game.
Tonee Hill had 25 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Johnny Tribbett had 5 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists.
The score was 14-7 at the end of the first. 29-8 at the end of the second quarter. 46-13 at the end of the third quarter.
The Raiders scored 9 points in the fourth, while Ridgecroft scored 8.
The Raiders are now 1-0 in the district and 6-3 overall.