ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Dec. 17, 2024) -- Rocky River had the Rebels on the run early, and with 11 Pirates finding their way into the scoring column, the Maroon & White finished with their most points in a single game since Feb. 5, 2022, in a 79-50 triumph over Willoughby South Wednesday.

A 24-6 opening frame set up the eventual rout. River went 10-of-19 (52.6%) from the floor in the first and committed just one turnover to South's 7. The Pirates (3-2) extended their lead to 27 (42-15) by halftime, and much of the second half saw the Sons of Blackbeard roll right through the depths of their roster. By the time the final horn sounded, a dozen players logged five-or-more minutes of floor time.

The victory marked River's third in a row. It also extended a trend of home-court mastery: the Roundball Raiders are now 13-2 over their last 15 games at Rocky River Gymnasium. The 79 points marked the program's most since scoring 79 against Bay three seasons back.

The Buccaneers logged a season-best effective field-goal percentage of 56.8% against a South (1-4) squad that had allowed just 108 points over its two previous games. Three-point shooting bolstered the River attack. The Pirates drained a dozen triples, going 12-for-31 (38.7%) from beyond the arc. No fewer than eight Double-R players sank 3-pointers.

The Rocky River assault also included a heavy dose of points off Rebel miscues. The Pirates were a plus-11 in the turnover exchange, and they tallied 23 points off turnovers and 20 points in transition.

The Maroon & White got 12 points from Rowan Kennedy, 16 points and 10 rebounds from Jacob Radcliffe, and 10 points and nine boards from Michael Swallow. Radcliffe's line in the box score also included four assists and four steals.

The Pirates will return to Cleveland West Conference play Friday when they visit the Bay Rockets. Tip time is slated for 7:30 p.m.

by Skip Snow

# # # RR # # #