Rams hold off NEA

Published 12:00 am Monday, January 8, 2007

AHOSKIE – Bryan Britton and Chris Hill scored four touchdowns each.

Well, at least the Ridgecroft seniors each poured in 28 points here Friday night as the Rams knocked off Tarheel Independent Conference rival Northeast Academy 75-60.

During the contest, Britton was a beast inside, dominating the offensive glass and controlling the tempo in the paint while Hill was his usual deadly shooting self from the outside.

Northeast countered with the determined play of senior Drew Pinnix, who put in 17 points and willed the Eagles into the contest on several occasions when it appeared to be slipping away. John Pope and Hunter Deloatch chipped in 13 points each as they helped keep Northeast close.

The Eagles took an early lead when a bizarre incident occurred with the score deadlocked at 11-all. As Pinnix was driving to the lane he was fouled and through up a shot that did not go into the basket.

One of the officials, however, insisted the basket was made and the referee making the foul call had to count the basket because he was watching the foul and not the shot. Pinnix was awarded the bucket and one free throw, which he made to give Northeast a 14-11 lead.

The extra hoop didn’t come into play however, as the Rams rolled off the next seven points in the first quarter starting with a three-pointer from Hill. Josh Morris and Matt Byrum each hit a free throw before Britton scored to make it 18-14 after one quarter.

The run continued in the second period when Hill hit the first basket and was followed by a Britton hoop that made it 22-14.

The Rams eventually edged ahead 36-25 by the end of the first half.

The second half started with a Deloatch hoop for the Eagles, but Evans Jones buried a triple moments later for the Rams.

Before the end of the period, Ridgecroft had extended the lead to 17 (57-40).

Ridgecroft (75): Bryan Britton n 28, Chris Hill n 28, M. Byrum n 7, E. Jones n 6, J. Morris n 4, J. Alexander n 2

Northeast (60): Drew Pinnix n 17, Hunter Deloatch n 13, John Pope n 13, R. Davis n 7, J. Parker n 6, J. Jenkins n 2, J. Baugham – 2