McGavock Holds on in Wild House
Cane Ridge brought their large fan base, dozens of cheerleaders, and sparkling uniforms into Nashville Thursday night with all the aspirations of a 19-4 team. The Ravens left with a 70-56 loss courtesy of Marvin Hughes, Ty Kirk and the hosting McGavock Raiders.
It speaks to the modern success of Cane Ridge that the McGavock fans essentially rushed the court after the win. A few dozen Raider fans even followed the Raven school bus’s tracks through their parking lot. In other words, McGavock players and fans relished the win.
Playing without David Smith Jr. will be tough, but mandatory for Cane Ridge. The Raven guard will miss the remainder of the 2017-2018 season with a torn ACL.
Thursday a sophomore, Marvin Hughes, outplayed Cane Ridge’s senior-laden team in crunch time.
“He needed 16 points to get to 1,000 [career] and he got exactly 16 tonight,” shared McGavock Head Coach Paul Childress.
Next Level
Leaning out of bounds, about to fall into the blue sideline abyss, Marvin Hughes spotted Devion Bowens at the back block. Instead of utilizing a nearby teammate, Hughes delivered a one-armed football pass to Bowens. The pass instantly stabbed through the entire Cane Ridge defense.
Bowens quickly put an offering up on the glass. A diving Raven clipped out his legs. The and1 all started with a bit of ambition and awareness by Marvin Hughes.
With the Ravens surging in the third quarter, Hughes actually patrolled the lane a bit.
Grit
While occupying the paint, Marvin Hughes swatted a hanging floater back into the shooter’s face. Hughes and Kirk continuously contributed powerful, emotionally-charged plays.
Kirk finished off several and-1’s. Cane Ridge gave away some size on the blocks. It wasn’t just height. McGavock’s guards, who rebounded against traffic, boasted more heft.
Kirk used his body well to carve out space for put-backs. He went home with 19 points.
Dealing with the trap
Cane Ridge plays wonderful fullcourt defense. Typically they force 20+ turnovers and can spook the best point guards.
Despite the relentless ball pressure, Hughes concocted some marvelous solutions.
Marvin used the step through. He found faraway recipients. Hughes also tried the speedy dribble around the trap. It didn’t work every time, but Hughes and his teammates generally solved the pressure in the second half.
By cutting down on their turnovers they obviously earned more field goal attempts.
It must be mentioned that McGavock scrapped their way into easy buckets off turnovers too.
Limiting Fouls
McGavock suffered an unfriendly fate in the second quarter. Most of the second quarter featured Cane Ridge guards shooting free throws.
The hosting Raiders reached the ignominious 10 foul plateau very early in the second quarter and the Ravens had no qualms about capitalizing.
Both Chantz Hillsman and Jonathan Howard made 6/8 free throws. Howard was Cane Ridge’s best offensive player. His poise on the ball helped the Ravens establish in the first stanza.
Juandale Chapman made just 5/10 at the line. Overall the Ravens shot 65.6% from the line.
The second half was a completely different story.
Cane Ridge rarely earned their way to the stripe and subsequently their scoring production fell off a cliff.
Madness
More than most games in the Nashville area this winter, the crowd impacted the outcome.
McGavock did fight, but the Raider offense lacked consistency. When the defense coaxed a couple turnovers, then the crowd infused an energy that carried McGavock to a double-digit lead.
Thanks to calm fourth quarter play, the Raiders did not relinquish that double-digit chasm.
Marvin Hughes discussed the crowd afterwards.