Ramey
Crusaders avoid Blue Tornado assault
Richlands (63) Vs. Beckley Christian (70)
Dec 29, 2014
By BOB REDD
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BRUSHFORK — What many expected to be a rout was a hotly contested game as the undefeated Greater Beckley Christian Crusaders defeated the Richlands Blue Tornado 70-63 in action at the Bluefield Beaver Classic, Monday afternoon at the Brushfork Armory.
Points were at a premium at the onset as GBC led 6-4 midway through the first quarter. Luke Phillips’ three put the Blues ahead 7-6 and with just over a minute left in the quarter Landon Lowe’s two free throws gave Richlands a 9-6 lead. Two Crusader buckets in the last 30 seconds gave GBC a 10-9 advantage after eight minutes of play.
In the second period Richlands got the ball down low to Scottie Ball and Lowe. GBC tied the game at 13 and went up by three only to see Lowe knot things at 18 on a three-point play. The Blues pumped the ball inside to Ball and went up by six, 26-20. Back charged Greater Beckley who tied the game at 27 before Richlands scored six straight to go up 33-27. The Blues led 33-30 at the break, led by Ball’s 18 points.
The teams battled back-and-fourth in the third with each taking, then losing the lead. Greater Beckley held a two point lead, 49-47 as the fourth quarter got underway.
Late in the fourth, GBC claimed its biggest lead, seven points, which was the final margin of victory. The Blues did pull within three points of tying the game in the final minute, but the Crusaders pulled away for the victory.
“Our kids battled and I was proud of them,” said Richlands head coach Jody Fuller. “That was a very quality team and there was a lot of hype about them and I understand why. We had our opportunities, we just couldn’t cash in. It was an enjoyable ball game.”
Ball led Richlands and all scorers with 28 points. Phillips tallied 16 and Lowe 11 for the Blue Tornado.
Elisha Kidd led Greater Beckley with 27 and Isaiah Francis scored 20 for the 4-0 Crusaders.
“It was a real tough battle. They (Richlands) are a very well-coached team, run great stuff and made it very difficult for us to guard them,” said GBC head coach Brian Helton. “Their kids played with a lot of heart and I think it’s the first time all year we’ve been out-rebounded and that was all effort on their part. They wanted the basketball. We’re happy to come from behind. We’re happy to play a quality team like that and still get the win.”
Richlands fell to 2-6 with the loss, but Fuller is optimistic.
“It’s a great test for us and these type of games, come February, we hope they pay off for us,” Fuller said. “Our whole schedule is like that. It’s a problem right now. We’re struggling to find W’s. We’re playing with everybody but we’re having trouble getting over the top and that’s due to some youth, but we’re playing tough. I think our kids enjoyed playing that competition but it would be enjoyable to get over the top.”

At Brushfork Armory
GREATER BECKLEY CHRISTIAN (4-0)
C. Walton 3 0-0 6, Elisha Kidd 10 4-5 27, Helton 2 1-2 6, T. Walton 2 0-0 4, Moreland 0 0-0 0, Isaiah Francis 8 1-6 20, Daniels 2 1-2 5, Epling 0 0-0 0, West 1 0-0 2, Totals 28 7-15 70.
RICHLANDS (2-6)
Luke Phillips 6 2-4 16, G. Herndon 0 0-0 0, Moir 0 0-0 0, Fuller 2 0-0 6, Raltliff 0 0-0 0, Smith 1 0-0 2, Thompson 0 0-0 0, Richardson 0 0-0 0, Altizer 0 0-0 0, L. Herndon 0 0-0 0, Scottie Ball 13 2-3 28, Landon Lowe 4 3-3 11, Totals 26 7-10 63.
Greater Beckley.............10 20 19 21 — 70
Richlands.......................9 24 14 16 — 63
Three-point baskets: GBC 7 (Kidd 3, Helton, Francis 3); R 4 (Phillips 2, Fuller 2)
Nightly Roundup
Game Scoreboard
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT SCORE
Richlands 9 24 14 16 0 63
Beckley Christian 10 20 19 21 0 70
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