Josh Barnett - Sports Editor

With the conference title on the line for South Ripley, the Raiders went into Friday's game against Jac-Cen-Del with a lot riding on the line. The Raiders were able to defeat the Eagles 66-48 to end their regular season with a record of 5-1 in the conference. If South Ripley would have lost they would have given the title to Milan, but instead the two teams tied for first in the ORVC. With the loss the Eagles' conference record fell to 2-4.

South Ripley came out in Friday's game on fire. The Raiders scored more points in the first quarter then
Jac-Cen-Del scored in the entire first half. South Ripley's defense held the Eagles to just 14 first half points while the Raiders put 34 on the board.

The Raiders came out in the third quarter the way they had been playing all game pushing their lead to 23 points halfway through the quarter. Jac-Cen-Del would cut the lead to 19 at one point in the quarter but South Ripley managed to push it back to 21. Going into the fourth and final quarter the Raiders were leading 52-31.

The fourth quarter marked the only quarter where Jac-Cen-Del managed to outscore South Ripley. The Eagles added 17 points to their total while the Raiders added 14. Jac-Cen-Del cut the lead to 18 twice in the
fourth but that was the closest they would get as the Raiders walked away with the 66-48 win, the Pride Trophy and a share of the ORVC title.

Joel Pflum led the Raiders with his third straight double-double scoring 32 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Chris Buchanan was the next highest scorer for the Raiders with 9 followed by Tony Lloyd with 8 and Michael Fear and Josh Grossman with 4 apiece.

Kyle Hackman led the Eagles with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Tyler Einhaus was next on the scoring list with 8 followed by Chip Schuler with 6 and Damon Simon, Matt Hicks and Andrew Huntington with 5 apiece.

Both teams continue play in the sectional tournament, both drawing the bye. South Ripley will be playing against Switzerland County in the second game on Friday night at Milan and Jac-Cen-Del will play the winner of South Decatur and Shawe in the second game at South Decatur on Friday night. The first game each night is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm with the second game immediately following.

JOSH BARNETT PHOTO

SR forward Tony Lloyd shoots a hook-shot in the paint in the Raiders' win over JCD Friday at Tyson. Lloyd finished the game with 8 points.