MINT HILL, NC – The two Independence basketball teams defeated the Ravens on the hardcourt earlier this week. The boys team won a hard-fought game 58-53, while the Lady Patriots dominated with a 60-22 victory.
Rocky River jumped out to a 13-2 run in the opening period of the boys contest, but Indy bounced back down 19-11 at the buzzer. The Ravens Jayden Lyles led the charge for the home team scoring 12 points. The majority all under the basket or driving the lanes finishing layups for baskets.
In the middle of the second period the momentum switched in Indy’s favor. They created a 10-0 run of their own. Kaleb Jasper found the range drilling three 3-pointers that ignited the Patriots comeback. Yancy Thomason swished a 3-point shot, while Kolbe Johnson and Kameron Jasper contributed baskets. By the intermission, Indy had outscored the Ravens 17-4 in the period to take a 28-23 advantage. The Patriots aggressive defense made the difference during this outburst.
In the second half the tempo continued at a rapid pace. The teams battled for an edge, and Indy held a 40-33 lead. Johnson scored 6 points, and Lyles added 4 points to his total keeping the Ravens close.
In the final stanza Tosh Alberga who was quiet through most of the game scored 8 points in the period to keep pace with Emanuel Torres who scored 10 points for Rocky River. After Alberga missed a slam, Lyles picked up the rebound pushed the ball up court and was fouled. He made both free throws with 2:42 remaining to tie the score at 48.
The teams continued to jockey for position, but Indy started to break away with 1:09 on the scoreboard clock ahead 54-50. The Ravens missed a 3-point shot, Indy pushed the ball past mid-court, slowed the game down, works a designed play, the basket is missed, but Alberga taps it in with 38 seconds remaining ahead 56-50. Now with 28 seconds left Kameron Jasper calmly swished both free throws 58-50. With 19.2 seconds the Ravens drill a 3-pointer, but this contest is over with Indy ahead 58-53 for the win.
Coach Galvani-Lewis Achieves Career 100th Win At Indy
The Independence Patriots gave their coach a nice present with her 100th career win with a 60-22 defeat of the Lady Ravens. This was a contest Indy controlled from the initial tipoff throughout the entire basketball game. By the intermission the Patriots led 32-7, at the end of third period the score was 54-16.
Kamryn Kitchen led all scorers with 16 points, Chloe Moss 10, Hannah Moss 10, Jui’lun Brimmer 9, Jessica Worthey 8, Lola Cabaniss-Ali 4, Lily Gorum 2, and Olivia Clark 1 for the Patriots.
After the game we congratulated Coach “G” as the players prefer to call her for reaching the 100 win mark in her outstanding turnaround of the schools girls basketball program.
“To get 100 wins at Independence, the place I began my coaching career right out of college, means a lot to me. The buy-in from the players have been the real reason this program has taken the leap it has. It’s easy to show up everyday when you’re winning games or when the talent is through the roof, that hasn’t always been the case. I commend every player for always showing up regardless of their situation. The players have fully recreated the culture here at Independence and have committed themselves to the program, the process, and the big picture.”
