2022.03.04 Boys Basketball: VHSL Class 5 Quarterfinal, Glen Allen @ Riverside

Lansdowne, VA (March 4, 2022) - When the Riverside Rams took the court tonight they were already the stuff of legends. It's hard to believe that just two weeks ago they had to win the third place game--in the Potomac District tournament--just to make it to regionals. But that was the beginning of a four-game hot streak--all on the road--that led to the VHSL Region 5D title and a home game in the quarterfinals of the state tournament.

Across the court stood the Glen Allen Jaguars, holders of the Region 5C runners-up trophy along with an exceptional overall record of 18-5. 

Chas Sumser Photography was there to capture the action and emotion and posted a gallery of images from the game.

After the opening tap, the Jags scored quickly to take a 2-0 lead. But Riverside's Jamie Ntiamoah scored two quick buckets and sent the home crowd into delirium. Hoping to stem the tide, Glen Allen coach Drew Manton immediately called a timeout. But the strategy didn't work as the Rams gained a 13-4 lead by the end of the first quarter. 

Once Riverside had the lead they set the pace--and it was crazy fast. At both ends of the court they were racing at full tilt contesting every rebound, scraping for every loose ball, and making every Glen Allen shot a difficult one. To their credit, however, the Jaguars did not go quietly. At halftime they hadn't gained any ground, but they hadn't lost any either, trailing 24-15.

For the first time since the game started, Glen Allen had a bit of momentum as the third quarter began. But once they got inside of that steady nine-point margin Riverside turned on the jets again and exploded to a 45-29 lead as the period ended.

In the fourth quarter, Glen Allen's Brendan Coughlan put the Jags on his back as he hit several long-range jumpers, but his personal exploits could not make much of a difference other than trimming the margin to twelve, 56-44, with 1:30 left to play. But by then the Rams were on cruise control, and even forcing them to hit shots at the foul line failed to deter Riverside on their way to the State semifinals.

And so the story continues for the Rams. Call it supreme confidence, call it swagger. Call it teamwork, call it togetherness. Call it legend. Whatever it is, they've got it, and now they have another chance to keep it going. Maybe two.

Final Score: Riverside 65 - Glen Allen 51