CHANDLER, Ariz. (Dec. 30, 2024) -- On Monday, Rocky River capped off its participation in the Tempe Division of the Cactus Jam, a boys and girls tournament held at sites in and around the Phoenix area. The Pirates went 2-1 in the event, and in a scoring format accounting for point differential and head-to-head performances, the Double-R took first place in their four-team bracket.

On Friday, the Raiders from River defeated Whitney (Calif.) 71-59. The Maroon & White then downed Sandpoint (Idaho) 61-58 in a taut battle Saturday. The Pirates closed out their wraparound, holiday weekend with a 60-57 loss to Prosser (Wash.) on Monday. The trio of games was held at Chandler Preparatory Academy.

Junior Jacob Radcliffe led the River offense, averaging 24 points per game over the three contests. [Full game stats unavailable at time of publication.] Radcliffe was tabbed as the Tempe Division MVP; he and senior Michael Swallow were named to the all-tournament team.

The Monday loss to Prosser snapped a six-game win streak.

Monday's finale sends Rocky River (6-3) into a seven-day layoff. The Pirates' next game will be Jan. 7 vs. Lakewood (Rocky River Gymnasium, 7 p.m.).  

by Skip Snow

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