Battle For The District Crown: Denton Ryan vs Richland (Pt. 1)
Denton Ryan traveled to Richland High School to battle it out for the district crown. This highly anticipated game featured multiple top 100 ranked players in the state of Texas, at every position. The crowd packed the gym, the energy…
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Continue ReadingDenton Ryan traveled to Richland High School to battle it out for the district crown. This highly anticipated game featured multiple top 100 ranked players in the state of Texas, at every position. The crowd packed the gym, the energy was buzzing, and we got ourselves a hard-fought matchup that ended with the home crowd storming the floor.
Richland Royals, 71 – Denton Ryan Raiders, 63
Richland High School
| Jourdyn Grandberry Jourdyn Grandberry 6'3" | SG Richland | 2022 State TX | Shooting Guard | 2022 |
Texas ranked guard, Jourdyn Grandberry Jourdyn Grandberry 6'3" | SG Richland | 2022 State TX played with this electric energy that rubbed off on everyone in the building from the start of warms up, till the final buzzer. Grandberry proved to be a pure bucket getter, hands down the best scorer in the gym, showing everyone in attendance why he’s one of the best, most efficient, and complete scorers in the whole state. Jourdyn put points on the board from every level with ease. Good patience and scoring instincts, he took his time and let the offense come to him before picking the defense apart. Grandberry’s handles and footwork were on a top-notch level, Denton Ryan tried to key in on him specifically but he still got whatever he wanted out there, making precise euro-steps and hop-steps at top speed, touching the paint for dump-off passes, pull-up jumpers, layups, and floaters over and over and over again. Jourdyn showed that he could get his own shot and also get to any spot whenever he wanted to. The defense didn’t have anyone that could guard him effectively out on the perimeter. Jourdyn Grandberry Jourdyn Grandberry 6'3" | SG Richland | 2022 State TX played the entire 32 minutes and the offense ran through him all game long. He didn’t slow down one bit, he pushed the pace, controlled the flow, and put on a tremendous show from start to finish, leading the Richland Royals to their 10th straight win and the division crown.
| Jayden Rhinehart | Shooting Guard | 2021 |
Jayden Rhinehart was the X-factor for Richland, his offensive and defensive playmaking impacted the game and helped put his team over the top. Rhinehart made all of the hustle plays and got all of the hustle points by consistently being in the right spots at the most opportune times on both ends of the floor. He got open beyond the arc and hit shots, got open in transition, and made the defense pay for making lousy passes. The Richland guard proved to be a reliable shooter whenever he was called upon, he was excellent from the free-throw line every time he lined up to shoot and his teammates were able to go to him for a shot from the corner when driving to the basket.
| Mark Rucha | Combo Guard | 2023 |
Star, Sophomore guard, Mark Rucha, had that look in his eyes before the game even started, knocking down shots left and right during shootarounds, and translating it straight to the game. Rucha got things going for the Royals right out the gate, displaying supreme quickness with the ball, with his first step, and in the passing lanes. Mark was extremely efficient from the jump, picking up 6 points within the first two minutes of play, by getting fouled on a three-point attempt and capitalizing off the free-throws, then proceeding to hit nothing but net a possession later with another three-pointer while a defender was flying in his face. Such a deadly outside stroke, any open opportunity he had he made the most out of it every single time nailing two open threes in the third quarter that set the game apart leading to a 10 point lead going into the fourth. Mark Rucha finished the game with an easy 14 points and 4 steals.
| C. J. Nelson | Point Guard | 2022 |
This high motor competitor hustled all over the floor for everything. Nelson gave everything a coach could ask for and much more, finishing the contest with 9 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal, and a block. Fantastic athlete, his athletic abilities are off the charts, limitless energy, can run, jump, and get physical with the best of them. Denton Ryan needed all of the luck in the world to stop this young man in transition. Nelson was a tough player to slow down or contain in the open court, he ran through the press and split double teams with his high-level speed and acceleration. Wasn’t afraid to do the dirty work either, C.J. cleaned up shots on the glass and dove and fought for loose balls. Nelson also displayed elite reaction time, showing great hand-eye coordination and anticipation by getting his paws on several passes and shots. C.J. Nelson was a terrific effort player that made plays conducive to winning games.
Denton Ryan High School
| Kevin Thompson | Shooting Guard | 2021 |
Thompson was the glue guy for his team, playing hard-nosed defense, making sharp cuts to the hoop right on time, precise passes, hitting open shots, and making some tough clutch buckets that kept the score close in the first half. Thompson played with an amazing competitive spirit and refuse to lose attitude. Denton Ryan went into the half down and Kevin returned with a vengeance, he was in full-on attack mode, getting to the foul line four times in the first four minutes of the third quarter. Thompson went on to relentlessly slithering and slashing through the defense with authority, drawing fouls, and making his free throws count. Kevin Thompson wasn’t going to be stopped, he played with a will to get a bucket one way or another.
| Elijah McBath | Point Guard | 2021 |
Elijah McBath made an immediate impact as soon as he stepped onto the court, shaking his man off with a smooth pullback crossover, step-back jumper, from the top of the key that gave his team some much-needed momentum. E. J. brought a special type of confidence to the floor that seemed a bit contagious, his team’s spirits went up anytime he made a play.
Junior Varsity Standout:
| Amarien Mohair | Point Guard | 2023 |
Sophomore guard, Amarien Mohair, was dangerous with the ball in his hands. Mohair looked to take his man off the dribble every chance he got. His knack for blowing by a man and getting inside led to multiple foul calls and free-throw attempts that put Richland in trouble and helped put the game away and seal the victory for Denton Ryan. In isolation situations, Amarien sized his man up, crossed over, and beat the defense to the paint with his first step. He showed off some impressive elusiveness and shiftiness with the way he maneuvered through the lane.