Red Devils Raze Rams
February 1, 2013
By Denis Vass of Graham High School Graham swept Reidsville tonight, two games that were not even close. The JV boys won their second straght game in a 79-44 romp. Khalil Cole led the Devil Pups with 14 points, while Jama Summers scored 12 points, followed by Rayvon McQueen and Brent Baldwin with 10 each. Cody Coleman tossed in 8 points. The JV's are now 13-4, 5-3 in conference play.
Graham's varsity boys came out fired up, running to an 11-0 lead before the Rams could break the twine for a point, when Tyree Smith swished a free throw at the 4:39 mark. The Rams could do little to stop the onslaught, while the Red Devils raced out toa 24-9 1st period lead. They kept the pedal to the medal the 2nd period, blitzing the Rams enroute to a 55-23 halftime lead.
Reidsville came out of the locker room with more energy, but the damage done the first half was too much to overcome. Reidsville battled Graham to a 45-45 standstill the second half, as Graham rolled to their 15th win of the season, 100-68. Graham has 5 losses. They improved to 6-2 in the Mid-State 2A Conference. Reidsville has yet to break into the win column in the conference this year.
Rashard Galloway led Reidsville with 16 points, while Isaac Courts posted 12.
The Lady Devils provided the marquee game of the day, as they battled the Lady Rams for first place in the conference. Reidsville rolled into the Devils Den unbeaten and ranked number on in the 2A ranks in North Carolina. Three weeks ago, the Jets of Jordan Matthews, who at that time were unbeaten and ranked #1, found out the same thing- these Lady Devils were primed and ready to play, no matter who or what ranking the team they faced had.
Coach Melinda Goodson had instilled the correct mindset into their heads, that they will play the game their way, and the results will be positive. And what a positive result it was tonight, as the Lady Devils claimed first place in the conference with a convincing 45-35 win.
Graham led 19-11 after one period of play, while Reidsville went into the locker room at the half ahead 27-24.
Reidsville was still leading 33-32 after three periods of play, but then Graham turned up the heat and outscored Reidsville 13-2 the final period. The 2 points allowed spoke volumes of Graham's tenacity in every phase of the game, hustling for every loose ball, grabbing crucial rebounds, and making the shots when they counted the most.
Kay Kay Wilson led Graham with 16 points, While Cherise Ashley and Jasmin Atkins supplied 8 points apiece.
Graham improves to 13-8, 8-0 in the conference. They still have two games next week at Jordan Matthews and Reidsville to determine top seed in the conference. The Lady Devils have now won 8 straight games, while winning 12 of their last 13 games.
Graham will host Cummings tomorrow night.
