By By MICHAEL BASHARA / Niles Daily Star
THREE OAKS -- In a game that started slowly for both teams, the Buchanan varsity basketball team came away with 66-55 win over River Valley in Lakeland Conference action Friday night.
Buchanan scored first when Gordon Bryant hit two free throws at 5:08 in the first quarter. Seconds later Jordan Lee hit a short jumper inside to put Buchanan up 4-0.
Buchanan actually went on a 12-0 run once the scoring started. River Valley's Danny Baker got a rebound basket at about 1:50, and the first quarter ended 12-4.
The game really became one of defense and runs. Buchanan's 12-0 run was followed by a 15-6 run by River Valley mostly in the second quarter. Caleb Dryden came in off the bench and hit a 3-pointer. He then made 2-of-3 free throws. Jamie White hit two 3-pointers in the run, and at the 3:18 point of the second quarter River Valley had a 19-18 lead.
Buchanan then went on a 10-0 run to lead 28-19 at halftime. Tony Robinson, Bryant and Zach Bonham each scored twice in the second quarter for the Bucks.
Buchanan then stretched the lead to 50-34 at the end of the third period. The final period saw both teams wear down as each little run was answered with another little run.
Both coaches stressed how important defense was to their program. Each coach is looking for improvement in handling pressure and delivering pressure.
Again it was Buchanan's bench and unselfish play that may have been the big difference.
River Valley moves to 5-3 on the season and 1-3 in conference. The Mustangs host New Buffalo Tuesday in a non-conference game.
The Bucks improve to 6-0 on the season and 3-0 in the conference. They host Edwardsburg on Tuesday in conference action with the freshmen game starting at 4 p.m.
In Friday's junior varsity action Buchanan ran away with a 52-17 victory. Eric Cole led the way with 17 points. Taylor Johnson and Doug Summers each chipped in with eight points. In the unselfish style of the varsity, all eight players played and scored.
Buchanan…….66
River Valley….55
Buchanan: Jordan Lee 3 0-0 6, Rodney Tembo 0 0-0 0, Brian Shannon 2 0-0 4, Kyle Tracy 0 0-0 0, Quinton Buish 0 0-0 0, Tony Robinson 5 4-7 14, DuJuan Bennett 1 9-10 11, Brandon Kyles 0 0-0 0, Jacob Brown 1 0-0 2, Gordon Bryant 7 2-2 17, Jared Rusher 0 1-2 1, Karl Schmidt 0 0-0 0, Raylin Hinds 1 0-0 2, Zach Bonham 3 3-4 9. Totals: 23 19-25 66
River Valley: Jeremy Schaffer 3 0-0 6, Caleb Dryden 4 2-4 11, Steve Terry 0 8-10 8, Brandon Vance 0 0-0 0, Jeremy Bates 2 0-0 4, Jamie White 3 7-11 16, Jake Kauffman 0 0-0 0, Kevin Zabel 0 0-0 0, Jason Schaffer 1 0-0 2, Keith Zabel 0 0-0 0, Danny Baker 3 2-4. Totals: 13 19-28 55
Buchanan 12 16 22 16--66
River Valley 4 15 15 21--55
3-point shooting: Buchanan 1 (Bryant), River Valley 4 (White 3, Dryden). Team fouls (fouled out): Buchanan 24 (Lee), River Valley 19 (Jason Schaffer, Baker). Team Records: Buchanan 6-0 (3-0 Lakeland), River Valley 5-3 (1-3)