Rebels close the gap on Shoshoni

Coach Scott Winters and his Riverside Rebels are still looking for their first win but feeling better about their progress on the heels of losses to 2A Shoshoni and Bridger, Mont., last week.

The Rebels couldn’t overcome defensive lapses in a 59-41 loss to the Wranglers Thursday in Basin.

“It was a much more competitive game than the final score showed,” Winters said. “We were just down one at the end of the first quarter, had a rough second quarter defensively, but played an excellent second half.”

At one point in the fourth, the Rebels were within single digits. 

“Considering we lost to this team 66-28 before Christmas break I thought it showed the growth the boys have had since then and I was proud of the way they played,” Winters said. 

Paul Stone and Gavyn Cervantes paced the Rebels with 12 points apiece; Cervantes also had a team-high 13 boards, making it a double-double.

“The boys are playing with more confidence as a unit and even though we didn’t shoot particularly good we were still able to compete well because we worked hard on the defensive end,” Winters said.

In Bridger on Saturday, the Rebels kept it close with their defense.

“They were an athletic team and quick off the dribble,” Winters said. “It was a very competitive game for us which was good. 

“We were able to play with the speed and energy we wanted, but unfortunately couldn’t hit a high enough percentage of our shots to win the game. We missed quite a few layups and put backs that could have changed the outcome of the game, but it was another step in the right direction.”

Eli Jensen finished with a double-double, netting 16 points to go along with 13 caroms.  Stone, Cervantes and Brendan Powell also scored in double digits with 13, 12 and 11, respectively.

The Rebels resume conference play this week, hosting Meeteetse today (Thursday, Jan. 22) at 4 and 7 p.m. before hitting the road for a 6 p.m. game Friday, Jan. 23 in Dubois.

Shoshoni 14 20 12 13 — 59

Riverside 13   8   9 11 — 41

RIVERSIDE — Brendan Powell 3 0-2 6, Paul Stone 5 2-8 12, Jaxon Womack 1 0-0 2, Gavyn Cervantes 3 6-8 12, Xander Dannar 2 0-0 4, Eli Jensen 1 0-2 2, Mason Brown 1 1-2 3.  Totals 16-of-47 9-of-22 41.

REBOUNDS — Riverside 38 (Cervantes 13).  STEALS — Riverside 16 (Stone 4).  ASSISTS — Riverside 6.  TURNOVERS — Riverside 21.

Bridger 23 18 14 15 — 70

Riverside 18 15   9 15 — 57

RIVERSIDE — Powell 4 0-0 11, Stone 6 1-2 13, Womack 0 1-2 1, Cervantes 5 0-0 12, Dannar 2 0-1 4, Jensen 6 0-0 16.  Totals 23-of-74 2-of-5 57.

3-POINT GOALS — Jensen 4, Powell 3, Cervantes 2.  REBOUNDS — Riverside 46 (Jensen 11). STEALS — Riverside 10 (Stone 4).  ASSISTS — Riverside 13.  TURNOVERS — Riverside 23.