Another consecutive loss was the last thing on the mind of Indian River head coach Phil Mead when his basketball team took to the court on Tuesday night to face Henlopen North powerhouse Caesar Rodney, but that’s just what the Indians came away with, moving them to an even .500 on the season.
Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT
Jeremy Purnell prepares to shoot a free-throw in IR’s game against Caesar Rodney on Tuesday, Jan. 29.
Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT
Montre Andrews comes down with a rebound.Three first-quarter three-pointers from Caesar Rodney’s Bernard Carter seemed to set the pace for the Riders as the Indians were unable to answer back. Carter would finish with 20 points on the night.
Indian River’s Jeremy Purnell led his team, netting 15 points in the match-up, while guard Deshawn Godwin contributed 11 of his own, including a three-pointer.
Trailing by six after the first quarter, then by 11 at halftime, Indian River couldn’t respond to the well-conditioned Riders. Forward Shawn Lewis provided six points and Tyree Oliver and Montre Andrews each put up five, but to no avail.
“We played really flat,” admitted Mead. “If you play poorly against any of the teams in the [Henlopen] North, you’re going to have a tough time. They played well. Caesar Rodney’s a well-balanced team.”
The loss brought the Indians to a 7-7 season record.
Following a cancelation due to school closings last Friday, the Indians awaited their rescheduled game at Sussex Central, which was moved to Feb. 11. Leading up to that game, Indian River was set to face Henlopen South competitors Lake Forest on Thursday, Jan. 31, (after the Coastal Point deadline), Seaford on Feb. 5, and Woodbridge on Feb. 8.
These three confrontations could prove to be essential as Feb 25’s state tournament nears. Three consecutive conference wins would not only turn the team around from an unfavorable run, but provide them a strong shot in the playoffs, improving on their current 5-2 conference record.
The Indians played the same three teams for their second, third and fourth games this season, respectively, proving triumphant against Lake Forest and Seaford, but sacrificing their road game to Woodbridge for their first loss of the season.
Mead has his priorities set leading into the last three weeks of the season.
“Turnovers and rebounds are what have been hurting us the last few games,” he admitted. “There was no talking [in Tuesday’s game], and we weren’t communicating well. We came out strong and played well in the first quarter, but you’ve got to maintain that all game. We have a good team. We just have to play that way.”
The Indians will face off against the Blue Jays in Seaford on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 7:15 p.m.