Randolph Boys Lose Twice

By David Cooch

The Harwood Game

The Randolph Ghosts played fifth ranked Harwood on Friday night and were unable to keep up with their shooting performance. The game started out fast-paced with Randolph matching Harwood shot-for-shot. The first quarter ended with Randolph ahead 8-7, with Jon White and Thomas Jacobs contributing four apiece for Randolph.

In the second quarter, Randolph maintained their lead to the half-way point, where they were up 15-13. From there, Randolph became defensively absent, and subsequently offensively silent. They failed to score again before the half and were down 29-15 at the break.

Harwood’s run continued in the second half, and came to a 23-0 streak before Randolph could answer. They were unable to get themselves back into the game and lost the match 60-28.

The JV squad lost as well.

The Mill River Game

On Monday Randolph played a rescheduled home game against Mill River. The squad suffered from a low-scoring first half, but brought the game to a thrilling finish.

Randolph, while playing well on defense, could only muster five points in the first quarter, due to a Dylan Smith three-pointer and a jumper by White. The first quarter saw Randolph down 9-5.

In the second quarter things did not improve for Randolph’s scoring tally, and defensively things weren’t going much better, either. After putting up six points and letting in 14, Randolph found themselves down 23-11 going into the half.

Coming into the final 16 minutes, Randolph knew they had to rebound better, improve defensive pressure, and increase their shooting percentage. The Ghosts came out energized, holding Mill River to one point in the first four minutes, and eventually their defensive success led to open shots on the fast break. Smith started Randolph out with a steal and pass to Jacobs for two, and then offensive rebounding rewarded Jacobs with another basket to bring Randolph within four, 26-22. The third quarter would end with Randolph down 30-22, however.

Randolph came right out of the gate in the fourth quarter with another three-pointer from Smith and a jumper from White, bringing them within three points. After conceding a basket, Jason Hicks picked up an offensive board and put the ball in to add another two to Randolph’s tally. After another defensive stop for Randolph, White made Randolph’s comeback official with a three-pointer to tie the game at 32 apiece. Mill River was able to go back ahead by four. Two foul shots by David Cooch brought Randolph back within striking distance, 34-36.

With under a minute left, Randolph intentionally fouled, and Mill River went up by four from the foul line. With a Hicks jumper and offensive foul forced by Smith, Randolph had a chance to tie, and almost did off the ensuing inbound play, but the ball was tipped away. Randolph never got another shot at it, and lost the game 45-41.

The JV squad lost their game as well.

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