Boys Basketball Wrap-Up: 2/6-2/11
Six years.
2190 days.
52,560 hours since the last time the Trumansburg Varsity Boys Basketball team defeated the Moravia Blue Devils. The clock has stopped ticking, as the Raiders finally got their win against a Moravia team that has dominated Trumansburg for years. From blowouts by 30-plus points, to down-to-the-wire games, Moravia has pulled away with a win over the past dozen meetings.. With a 67-62 win on Tuesday night, Trumansburg broke the losing streak at last. Both teams shot extremely well in the first half, exchanging deep threes and pull up jump shots. The first quarter was all Austin Grunder for Trumansburg, as the versatile senior sliced and diced his way through the defense, earning 17 first quarter points. At the end of the first quarter, Trumansburg had a 23-19 lead. The Raiders offense stalled in the second quarter, scoring only ten points. At half, it was all knotted up at 33 apiece, with Moravian shooters getting hot from behind the three point arc. In the locker room, head coach Jeff Richards told the team that the primary focus was to limit the three pointers that the Blue Devils were raining on the Trumansburg defense in the first half. "Get up and get in their grills," was the plea from a passionate Coach Richards. Austin Grunder also spoke up at halftime, telling his team to "keep moving the ball". Grunder also stated, "We have them where we want them, but we have to come out with intensity". The rallying cry from Grunder did not prove to be effective at first, as the Raiders came out of the half unable to hit any shots. After being down 33-39 and held scoreless for nearly four minutes, Jake Shelley had back to back baskets to bring the Raiders within a basket. This brief scoring burst gave senior Luke Richards time to get hot and he dominated the Raiders’ offense for the entirety of the third quarter. Richards was able to hit outside shots and work the ball into shooters Andrew Stewart and Dalton Kenney, who helped the Raiders stay in the game. The fourth quarter will be one to remember for Trumansburg fans, as the battle reached its peak. The Trumansburg zone defense was getting exposed, and the Moravia shooters were able to drill deep threes, shifting the momentum to their side. With under four minutes left in the game, Trumansburg was down seven points. A timeout gave the Raiders a break from the action, trying to find a way to get back in the game and tie it up. he Raiders then proceeded to move the ball well and find Luke Richards behind the three point line. Richards drained a three and moved the Raiders within four. After back to back defensive stops the score shifted to a 61-58 Moravia lead. After a missed shot, Austin Grunder grabbed a rebound and was fouled. He hit one of his free throws, making the score 61-59 Moravia. During the ensuing defensive possession, the Raiders defense held firm and were able to force a turnover from a Moravia big-man. On their next trip down the floor, it was Richards again hitting a three to pull ahead of Moravia, 63-62. Another defensive stop led to the Raiders’ basketball and Austin Grunder scoring down low again, extending the lead to 65-62. The Raiders defense sparkled brightly again, as they were able to get another stop. After an inbounds play, the ball found Grunder, who passed to Richards. Richards reversed the ball around for about 15 seconds before Moravia fouled Grunder, stopping the clock. Grunder hit both free throws, and Moravia inbounded the ball with 3.5 seconds left and, and threw up a half court shot that would fall short. Buzzer. Trumansburg had finally done it. After what had seemed like an eternity without a win against the respected Moravia program, the Trumansburg varsity team had beaten Moravia. It was by far one of the best performances that Trumansburg had displayed for their fans. ESPN Ithaca analyst Jeremy Menard described it: "Trumansburg versus Moravia is as the cliche goes, a heavyweight boxing match. Big baskets being traded." It was back and forth all game long, with the Raiders being able to squeak it out in the end.
Before any of this even happened, the JV boys team came out and defeated a Moravia team that they had lost to in overtime when last they played. Led by the “big three” of Josiah Lopez, Kameron Lincoln and Jack Lincoln, along with post threat Ryan Benedict, the junior Raiders were able to capture a huge win. Thank you to all the fans who came out and supported the boys! Go Raiders!
