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Riverbank falls in semifinalsLODI, Feb 28, 2013 (The Modesto Bee - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Summerville High used its considerable height advantage and a 10-0 run to start the second half en route to a 72-55 victory over Riverbank on Wednesday in the semifinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 4 boys basketball playoffs at Tokay High. Summerville (24-3) advances to the section championship game on Saturday at Sacramento's Sleep Train Arena, while the season comes to a close for Riverbank (24-4). Rolaun Dunham, the Bruins' 6-1 guard who scored 37 points in a quarterfinal win against Bret Harte, led all scorers with 23 points. But at 6-1, Dunham is one of the tallest players on Riverbank's roster. Summerville has a front line that features three players at least 6-foot-6 in Jesse Roberson, Connor Morningstar (6-7) and Rosenda Amayawood (6-7). That size, plus Summerville's ability to get out and run, was a dangerous combination for the Bruins. "They're definitely not your typical big kids," said Riverbank coach Jeff Jennings. "They shoot well, they handle it well. They're a very good team. "We knew we had to shoot well tonight to have a chance. We just didn't." With the outside shots not falling for the Bruins most of the night, Summerville was able to pack it in with its zone defense. That prevented Riverbank from the slashing, drive-and-dish game that worked so well for them in the quarters. Despite the height advantage, Summerville came out apparently determined to run Riverbank into the ground, as the game was played at a break-neck pace for much of the first half. Neither team gained much of an advantage during the first eight minutes of action -- the biggest lead was Summerville's five-point edge at 19-14 -- but the Bears opened the second stanza on a 10-0 run to take control. That surge, however, seemed to leave Summerville a bit winded. Their shots began finding nothing but the front of the rim, and Riverbank beat them to loose balls, and they were unable to stretch the margin. Riverbank trailed by 17 heading into the final eight minutes of play, but the Bruins weren't done. Three consecutive 3-pointers made it 57-39, and they eventually whittled it to 63-46. A 3-pointer by Kyle McLaurin ended the momentum and Summerville coasted into the final. ___ (c)2013 The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) Visit The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) at www.modbee.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |