Stevens paces LA

Published 12:00 am Friday, December 21, 2007

AHOSKIE – Shane Stevens scored a game-high 22 points to lead Lawrence Academy over Ridgecroft in the second round of the Lt. Nick Brantley Scholarship tournament.

The Warriors faced Bethel Christian Academy, winners in their semi-final game against Northeast Academy, in Friday night’s championship game.

Lawrence took a 4-2 lead early in the first after two baskets by Stevens.

Ridgecroft scored the next seven points, including four from Josh Morris, to take a 9-4 advantage.

A trey from Stevens and R.J. Deppisch foul shot pulled the Warriors within on.

The teams traded baskets with Morris scoring the final two buckets of the quarter to give the Rams a 17-12 lead.

Baskets by Holden Ratzlaff, Stevens and a three-point conversion from Daniel Oliver gave the Warriors a 19-17 advantage.

James Taylor scored in the paint and Morris converted two of four foul shots to put the Rams back out front.

The lead would change five times over the next four minutes with Stevens’ two foul shots in the final seconds moving the Warriors ahead, 29-28, at the half.

Taylor, Morris and Logan Kinlaw scored deuces to start the third.

Stevens hit a trey and a layup to tie the score at 34.

After a Morris hoop, Lawrence scored the next seven points, giving the Warriors a five point advantage.

Kinlaw’s bucket cut the lead to three (41-38) going into the fourth quarter.

It was back and forth in the fourth as the teams traded baskets and the lead. The Rams were out front 53-49 with less than four minutes remaining but five Warriors free throws and a bucket pulled Lawrence ahead by three (56-53).

Dillon Lowe put Taylor’s pass in the basket to bring the Rams within one point. The Warriors added another five foul shots, including four-for-four from the line by Joe Harrell, to hold on for the 61-55 win.

Oliver scored 16 for the Warriors followed by Ratzlaff with 12.

Morris was the Rams leading scorer with 18 points.

Kinlaw added 15 points, including three treys in the fourth quarter, in the loss.

The Rams played Northeast Academy in the consolation game.

Lawrence (61):

Shane Stevens n 22, Daniel Oliver n 16, Holden Ratzlaff -12, Joe Harrell n 6, RJ Deppisch n 3, Dillon Ralph n 2

Ridgecroft (55):

Josh Morris n 18, Logan Kinlaw n 15,, Dillon Lowe n 8, James Taylor n 7, Austin Britton n 2, Ethan Phelps n 2, Cade Larabee n 2, Asher Turner – 1