— By Taylor Kennedy
RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. — A 26-4 second quarter was a difference maker in a convincing 79-29 win for the Ravenswood Red Devils over the Parkersburg Catholic Crusaders on Tuesday night.
“Our performance in the first quarter was poor,” said 44th-year Ravenswood head coach Mick Price. “I have tried to coach possession-by-possession. Have good possessions on offense and defense, which will minimize turnovers and bad shots. We did not do a good enough job in the first quarter. We let Parkersburg Catholic do whatever they wanted to do.
“Parkersburg Catholic played hard, but they are having a tough time this season. They have a few guys playing basketball. I know [Crusaders’ coach Daniel Collie] is working hard with them.”
Ravenswood (4-0) saw itself up 14-13 at the end of the first quarter. Price was unhappy with how his team started, and he relied on his guys to step up.
“If I have to get on them then we are in trouble in a lot of games,” Price noted. “The energy has to come from the kids. I did not think they played with much energy, especially early. I thought that hurt us. We did not have that step where we were getting after it.
“I was not worried about what Parkersburg Catholic was doing tonight. I wanted to do what we do to try and get better at those things. That way if we play other opponents we will be better.”
The Red Devils’ havoc and active hands caused 27 turnovers from Parkersburg Catholic, which fell to 0-6.
“I think good team offense comes from defense,” Price stated. “I think it all starts with defense. We got our hands around the ball and created tough situations for them. Any time we can do that and get the game into an open court, I think it is an advantage for our kids.”
Junior guard Andrew Hunt led all scorers with 21 points, including 14 first-half points. Hunt knocked down four triples as well.
“I thought he played with more confidence tonight,” Price said. “He has, for the last two years, been the kid that can shoot. He is shooting with more confidence. He has worked hard at it. He has worked on his stroke, and I thought he stroked it well tonight. I thought it was the first time in a couple of years that he had the stroke.”
The other double-figure performance Tuesday evening came from junior wing Matthew Carte. Carte finished the game with 15 points, including 11 first-half points.
“Whenever he learns to go off two feet and finishes shots around the rim instead of jumping off one foot and hand then he will be a heck of a player,” Price stated. “He will sometimes revert to doing crazy shots here and there, and it hurts him.
“He is a work in progress. The thing I love about him is that he has a passion for a game. He is at the gym year-round. He wants to get better. He is a kid you can depend on.”
This is the 100th season of Ravenswood basketball. Price and his staff have recognized different players from different eras this season. The school recognized the first four all-state selections earlier this season.
Ravenswood recognized the 2006 state championship team by wearing those jerseys against Parkersburg Catholic.
“It is special because it is the 100th year, and it is special for the community,” Price said. “To have the first four all-staters be with their families was special. A lot of schools cannot celebrate 100 years because they are consolidated, and they do not go back that far.
“We have guys coming from St. Louis, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Florida, and Chicago that have said they are coming in. I hope those guys can get together and rekindle their relationships and stay in touch with one another because we are a family.”