Lansdowne, VA (February 14, 2022) - The second half of a playoff double-header pitted the visiting Briar Woods Falcons against the Riverside Rams. Two regular season wins in their head-to-head matchups--in the last month--gave the home team some pre-game momentum, but Riverside knew full well how hard it is to beat a team three times in one season. Both teams were loaded with seniors, and none of them wanted this to be their last game.
Chas Sumser Photography was there to capture the action and emotion and posted a gallery of images from the game.
The first quarter was intense, but low scoring. Neither team could break away and both teams were pressing hard on defense so the pace was frenetic if a bit unproductive. When the Rams' Jaden Frazier hit a three with a minute remaining, Riverside got its first taste of separation at 15-12.
Through amped-up defensive pressure, the Rams quickly expanded their second quarter lead to 24-14. When the Falcons' Marty Linsky hit a desperately needed basket--to trim that margin slightly--he kept his team within range, but they still trailed at halftime, 33-23.
Behind four straight three-pointers from Cam Koscinski, Riverside broke the game wide open in the third quarter. And two driving layups by Tyler Carlton made it a sudden and impressive twenty-point lead for the Rams, 59-39.
To their credit and hustle, Briar Woods was able to make a considerable cut into that margin. But the Falcons could not get close enough to truly threaten as Riverside advanced to play top-seeded Potomac Falls in the next round.
Final Score: Riverside 71 - Briar Woods 62
