By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Riverside won two of three at the Runnels Round Robin last week, notching a blowout win, suffering a similar loss, and surviving a 51-point game from an opposing star.

The Rebels (5-3) opened play last Wednesday with an 85-4 victory over Gables (0-7). Josh Tassin led the team with 15 points. Cody Trosclair added 14 for Riverside.

Riverside met Louisiana School for the Deaf on Thursday, and emerged victorious in overtime, 87-78.

The Rebels led by 12 at halftime, but LA School for the Deaf’s Philip Hayes caught fire from the field, scoring 51 points and helping his team outscore the Rebels 21-13 in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

“He was a damn good player,” said Riverside Coach Ben Wilson. “They hung with us, making some crazy shots in the second half. I think our kids overlooked them a bit, but they shot the ball real well.”

The comeback attempt fell short, as Riverside scored 17 of the 25 overtime points to win its fifth game of the year.

Kane Keller scored 27 points to lead the Rebels. Tassin scored 25, and Chris Anthony scored 22.

The Rebels could not make their run a perfect three-for-three though, as it fell to host Runnels, 87-25.

Runnels (19-0) outscored the Rebels 52-14 in the first half and looked to be in top form, according to Wilson.

“From what I saw, this team is going to win the Class B state title,” said Wilson. They practice year round, and are very sound both offensively and defensively. Even as an opposing coach, they’re very impressive to watch. Just a smart, talented team.”

Wilson said that Runnels exposed many of the same weaknesses that have plagued Riverside all season, and did it from the opening whistle.

“They punched us in the mouth, and we kept falling farther and farther into a hole,” Wilson said.

Tassin led the Rebels with six points.