Improving Champs fall to Richland, again

Charlie Pope talks to his Champions during a timeout. (T-G Photo by Mary Beth Gunn) [Click to enlarge]

CHAPEL HILL -- Cascade was given another chance to take on Richland after a 30-point loss to them on Nov. 22.

The teams met at Forrest High's Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday night, but Richland proved to be too much for Cascade, giving them a 51-36 loss.

"I felt like defensively we improved," Cascade coach Charlie Pope said. "We held them to fewer points and we rebounded better."

The Champions started the game holding Richland scoreless for the first 2:30. The Raiders then went on an uncontested 7-0 run. Cascade was unable to make up the difference, letting Richland take the early lead, ending the first quarter at 14-6.

The Raiders extended their lead further in the second quarter, holding Cascade to only seven points, five of those by Ricky Hord.

"We were just trying to break them off the dribble and get the highest percentage look we could get," Pope said. "Unfortunately, we didn't make enough of them in."

T.J. Rippy came into the game in the second quarter and had five rebounds, but Cascade couldn't catch up and found themselves down 23-13 at the half.

At the start of the third quarter Christian Edmondson came in and drilled a 3, trimming the Champion deficit to seven. But after that Cascade continued to lag behind in the third quarter and Richland gained greater control of the game by extending their lead to 33-21.

Cascade's desperation increased in the fourth, forcing them to go for 3-pointers. They were 0-6 in the fourth until freshman Ryan Rippy stepped onto the court and hit two 3s in the last minute of the game. However, it was too late to make up for the early deficit in the game.

Cascade hosts Webb tonight at 7:30.