By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
THREE OAKS - The River Valley basketball team did something to Buchanan that most teams don't. Not only did it keep the score close in the first half, but it was able to take the lead at halftime.
Something that surprised most of the people in the gym.
The Mustangs scored the first basket of the night to get the game rolling, but Gordon Bryant gave Buchanan a three-pointer to give it the lead. River Valley was able to answer with another basket on its next play to put it ahead by one. Jimmy Washington drew a foul on Andrew White to put him on the line. White hit 1-of-2 free throws to put the Mustangs up 5-3.
The teams took turns sharing the lead throughout the first quarter, but Buchanan had the 15-10 lead going into the second.
Danny Baker nailed a three for the Mustangs to open the second quarter and bring them back within two. A foul vy Jeff Kyles put the Mustangs on the line and allowed them to come within one point. Kyles was fouled next time down the court and made both free throws to put the Bucks back up by three.
The Mustangs were again able to tie the score at 17 when Jared Rusher drew a shooting foul on White. The shot was good as well as the free throw. River Valley took the 19-17 lead on a basket from Jeremy Schaeffer and held on to it the rest of the quarter.
The Mustngs had a 27-25 lead entering halftime.
Buchanan's shot selection did a complete 360 in the third quarter. The Bucks outscored River Valley, 24-2.
Buchanan's full court pressure also gave River Valley big problems.
River Valley head coach Casey Caid was charged with a technical at the 5:07 mark allowing Bryant to shoot and make two free throws for the Bucks.
Tony Robinson was able to pull off a dunk on an assisted pass from Brian Shannon to put Buchanan up 43-27.
Bryant, Shannon, Robinson, Jimmy Washington and D'Vaughn Frazier all scored for the Bucks in the third allowing them to finally take a comfortable 47-32 lead going into the fourth.
The Bucks continued to apply their defensive pressure in the fourth. River Valley was able to break free for some much needed points, but the effort wasn't enough to give them the victory on the night of its Winterfest.
Bryant led the Bucks with 17 points. Shannon ad 13 and Washington and Robinson both added 12.
Baker had 13 for River Valley. Schaeffer had 12 and White had 10 .
Buchanan's freshmen and JV teams were also added wins to their records Friday night.
The freshmen upset the Mustangs 51-31 and the JV won 80-45.
Marquis Hall had 30 points for the Buchanan JV team. Damien Bryant had 19 and Terrill Tucker and L.J. Hughes both added 10 for the Bucks.
Nate Swords had 19 and Ricky Zeiger had 11 for the Mustangs.
The Bucks return to action Tuesday night when they travel to Edwardsburg for a conference game. Tip off is set for 7:30 with JV and Freshman playing before that.
BUCHANAN 62
Jeff Kyles 0 2-2 2, D'Vaughn Frazier 3 0-0 6, Brian Shannon 4 1 4-2 13, Kyle Tracey 0 0-0 0, Tony Robinson 6 0-0 12, Nate brewer 0 0-0 0, PJ Pollack 0 0-0 0, Taylor Johnson 0 0-0 0, Gordon Bryant 6 1 2-2 17, Jared Rusher 0 0-0 0, Jimmy Washington 6 2-0 12, Jason Kuntz 0 0-0 0
RIVER VALLEY 44
Caleb Dryden 1 1 2-1 6, Matt Grandholm 0 0-0 0, Jeremy Bates 0 0-0 0, Andrew White 3 5-4 10, Jeremy Schaeffer 3 1 4-3 12, Kevin Zabel 0 2-1 1, Danny baker 4 1 4-2 2.
Buchanan 15 25 47 62
River Valley 10 27 32 44
Three-point baskets: Shannon (B) 1, Bryant (B) 1, Dryden (RV) 1, Schaeffer (RV) 1, Baker (RV) 1. Techinal Fouls: Casey Caid (RV coach).