On Thursday evening, the red-hot Blue Ridge boys’ basketball team blew out Virginia Episcopal School 75-52 as the Barons clearly started to get into full postseason mode in the VIC semifinals.
Out of the gate, both teams started out very slow with the first quarter ending with Episcopal up 11-9. That was the last lead VES would have in the game, as Blue Ridge turned it around completely offensively.
“We were executing pretty well, and we were getting okay shots, but if we just make one more pass, or two more passes, we’ll get a better look…I thought they did a good job,” said Blue Ridge coach Cade Lemcke. “The other thing — when we turn teams over, and we’re able to get out in transition…it allows other guys to play differently.”
The transition game was a definite strong suit for the Barons, who had a clear height advantage at nearly every position on the court. Another advantage Blue Ridge had was the presence of Maliq Brown, who had several monstrous dunks and attacked the glass coming off assists in transition. The guard play from Blue Ridge was also dialed in, hitting some deep threes, and their intentional and purposeful drive and finish or kick approach had the Barons rolling.
Maliq Brown filled up the stat sheet, logging 21 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. He also got help from teammates Devin Walker who put up 16 points and 6 rebounds, and Logan Rhoades who had 14 points.
Blue Ridge’s last assignment was to neutralize Virginia Episcopal’s Desmond Roberts who throughout the first half seemed to hit contested shot after contested shot.
“I think the big thing is contested shots,” Lemcke said. “We want to limit the other team to one contested shot. It doesn’t mean they’re going to miss. Doesn’t mean you’ll get the rebound. But we want every shot that someone takes to be a contested shot. If they make it, great job. Between Walker Andrews and Desmond Roberts, they’re both really good players, and I think we did a really good job of making sure everything they took was contested.”
Because of their stifling defense and dynamic offense, the Barons inevitably pulled away in the second half and cruised to their 9th win in a row.
Although the Barons started off a little slow, Blue Ridge point guard Robby Matos is feeling very confident about the way the team is playing.
“It’s a big boost,” said Matos. “Whenever you win a game big, it’s a big boost for team morale. Everything is clicking, when the coach is telling you to do something, and we’re executing it, it looks perfect. The coaches are happy, we’re happy, everybody’s happy, and we play good.”
Blue Ridge faces Miller School for the third time this season for the V.I.C championship game at the neutral site, Roanoke Catholic School on Saturday evening.
