ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Dec. 13, 2024) -- A final-seconds put-back by senior guard Michael Swallow vaulted Rocky River to a thrilling 57-54 win over Westlake Friday night.
Swallow, a three-year letterman and the team's 2024-25 captain, raised up over a would-be Westlake rebounder off a Danny Berg miss with five ticks remaining. Athletically twisting and hauling in the basketball left of the rim, he hung in midair for a beat. Swallow then released a perfect carom off the window and through the net. All while being fouled in the act of shooting and unknotting a 54-54 basketball game against River's neighbors from a couple clicks west on Hilliard Boulevard.
The 2023-24 Great Lakes Conference West Division honorable mention bagged his ensuing 1-point look, and, after a timeout, the Demons -- who had engineered a fine comeback after being down eight late in the third quarter -- came up empty in a desperation attempt to send the contest into overtime.
It all made for a riveting home opener for the Sons of Blackbeard, who with the victory earned their second straight win and leveled their season record.
"This was a great high school basketball game," said coach Mike Murray. "Both communities came out to support the kids, and the atmosphere was terrific."
The home crowed spurred on the home five in the early going and the Pirates (2-2, 2-1 Cleveland West Conference) opened up a 10-5 by the middle of the first quarter. Westlake (2-1, 1-1) battled back with a 14-5 run, but the Buccaneers finished the second quarter out with strong play at both ends and went into halftime leading 30-26.
The Maroon & White shot a robust 57.9% (11-of-19) in the first half and would finish the contest with a season-best mark of 50% (21-of-42).
The River five held sway through much of a hard-fought third, and the Pirates went into the final stanza leading by five (46-41). Early-fourth-quarter buckets by junior Ryan Turk and senior Evan Hargett got the Demons within two (44-46), and the rest of the game was played within the tight confines of a three-point spread.
The Pirates' most-of-the-night lead evaporated on a Turk layup late. River leveled the scoreboard tally at 54-54 with a free throw, and that got the contest to the 54-54 game state in the waning seconds.
Cue the big moment for Swallow, the Buccaneer captain who scored hist 13th, 14th, and 15th points with the miraculous and-one to finish off the Demons.
"I love the way Michael and the rest of our guys battled at the end," said Murray, whose Pirates are now 12-2 on home hardwood -- including six consecutive wins -- since Feb. 10, 2022. "I'm so proud of our players."
After an exciting, early-season tussle between league foes, the fans on both sides could well all feel the same.
CANNON FIRE ...
FROM THE BUCS SCORE: The Pirates outshot the Demons 50% to 40%. WHS was a plus-3 in turnover margin (15-18) and clocked 17 points off River miscues. Rebounds were a 24-23 edge for the home side. ... In addition to 15 points from Swallow, Rocky River got 18 points from Jacob Radcliffe, 10 from Brandon Nazette, and 10 from Danny Berg. Jeff Maslar added 6P, three rebounds, and three steals. Turk (17P, 5R) and Hargett (12P, 7R) paced the Westlake effort.
A SERIES POSSESSED BY DEMONS: With Friday's win in a cliffhanger, the Pirates are not 3-2 across their last five games against the Demons. The RRHS-WHS tussles of recent vintage have otherwise been dominated by the Westlake side. Since 2005, Westlake is 14-8 against River. ... The Bucs and Demons will play the back half of their season series Jan. 24 at WHS. ... The Pirates have defeated Westlake in back-to-back home openers. River edged the Demons 55-51 in overtime in last season's lid-lifter at the Pirate Palestra (Dec. 15). The Buccaneers have now won their home opener each of the last four seasons.
ON DECK: Rocky River's next game will be a Tuesday non-conference game at the Corner of Wagar & Detroit. That evening (7 p.m. tip time) has the Pirates hosting the Rebels of Willoughby South High School.
by Skip Snow
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