Springdale boys basketball coach Scott Ruppert was clear with his instructions Tuesday night at Donald McGhee Fieldhouse.
The Dynamos wanted to run Riverview off the 3-point line and try to meet them at the rim. Springdale’s shot blocking and length made the difference in a 48-29 Section 1-2A win. The Dynamos only allowed the Raiders to score six points after halftime and none in the fourth quarter.
“The second half was the best they’ve played defensively,” Ruppert said. “It was the most connected they’ve ever been before.”
The Raiders (3-7, 1-3) did have a hard time getting to the rim because of Dynamos forwards Trevor Clark and Liam Dexter looking to block shots.
Springdale guard Jackson Loebig said having support behind him makes it easier to play defense.
“It’s helpful knowing we have Liam. He’s a big guy and can get a lot of blocks,” said Loebig, who scored 11 points and made three 3-pointers. “We were playing tough, and it was one of the best halves of defense we have played.”
Riverview made life difficult on Springdale’s offense as well. The Dynamos were limited to nine points in the first quarter and missed all five of their 3-point attempts.
Rex Roberts and Benji Franciscus each scored five points in the quarter to give the Raiders a 12-11 lead. Roberts scored a team-high 12 points for Riverview.
“The first half started a little slow,” Springdale guard Robby Simmen said. “We made it difficult for them in the paint.”
Simmen made a layup in the middle part of the second quarter to put the Dynamos ahead for good, 18-17.
Loebig made a 3-pointer, Springdale’s first of the game, with two minutes left in the half to stretch the lead to 26-21.
“I think we were trusting what the coach was telling us to do,” Loebig said.
Ruppert trusted Loebig to battle through an injury to contribute.
“He’s come such a long way,” Ruppert said. “He’s been hobbled with lingering injuries. It was a game-time decision if he was going to play or not. He gave me the thumbs up that he was good to go. We’re glad those shots are falling for him because it’s been a slow start to the season for him.”
Simmen scored 12 of his game-high 20 points in the first half. He was happy with how Springdale was able to bounce back. The Dynamos (4-4, 2-2) struggled with foul trouble and lost their last section game in overtime to Brentwood.
“Our help-side (defense) is a big part of it,” Simmen said. “If we get beat, we have to have someone there. That is a big part of our defense. That’s what our defense is about.”
Riverview scored the first basket of the second half, a running layup by Dom DelRosso, to cut the deficit to 28-25.
That was the last field goal the Raiders scored in the contest.
“We decided we wanted to ball pressure their shooters,” Ruppert said. “We did a good job of denying their best shooters from getting the shots they were looking for and forcing them into tough midrange shots.”