Joyner's 26 not enough to beat Cavs
~December 8, 2007~
Story and Photos by Michael Orr

Derrick Hallback passes around a Cavalier double team.

Richland Northeast withstood a 26- point barrage by Dreher's Kenneth Joyner to upset the state's top ranked 3A school, 62- 57. Chris Streaters' 16 points and aggressive rebounding, particularly in the second half, paced the Cavaliers.

Neither team started the game very well, leading a disjointed first quarter. Joyner made his presence known early with eight points in the first quarter, but largely the quarter passed without much excitement. Dreher's swarming press caused trouble for RNE in the early going, holding the Cavaliers to a mere nine points in the quarter.

In the second quarter, Dreher muscled the ball inside to Joyner and Aaron Johnson, but managed only eight points in the quarter. The Cavaliers took advantage of long- range shooting opportunities with three- pointers by Larry Sumter and Mike Robinson to catch up and eventually pass the Blue Devils by halftime. Robinson's three came as the buzzer sounded, propelling RNE to a 25- 22 lead at the break.

The third quarter displayed the power of momentum as each team rode a brief tide of excitement and execution. Early in the quarter, Dreher pounded the ball inside to Joyner and Sylvester McCrae who combined to score 16 points in the quarter. As the Blue Devils appeared to pull away from the Cavaliers, Chris Streater blocked a Joyner dunk and the momentum immediately changed. Energized by the terrific block, RNE used two quick Daris Crosby baskets to get within one, 39- 38, with less than a minute to play in the third. While the Cavaliers finished the quarter down a point, the confidence exuded by the team showed they were ready to take command of the game.

Dreher's Kenneth Joyner shoots a running jump shot.

RNE took the lead early in the fourth quarter as the Cavaliers' press and overall intensity finally took its toll on the Dreher attack. Dominating the boards and playing impassioned defense, the Cavaliers would not relinquish their lead. Dreher stayed close throughout on the legs of Joyner's array of inside shots and late jump shots by Chris Brown, but the Blue Devils could not capitalize on several Cavalier missed free throws in the game's final minute. Brown's three- pointer with 0:57 left brought the score to 60- 57 in favor of RNE, but Dreher would not get any closer.

Richland Northeast's Larry Sumter scores for the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers' win evened the season series after Dreher won 51- 50 at RNE on December 1. The Blue Devils were led by Joyner's 26 and McCrae's 12.