By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Riverside started 2008 off with a 4-0 record. But now, the Rebels must dig out from a 0-2 hole in district play.

The Rebels fell at Newman on Friday night, 62-38, and at home on Tuesday to St. James, 80-37.

Evan Turkish led Newman on Friday with 23 points.

Kane Keller notched 17 to lead the Rebels. Jade Falgoust scored eight and Bobby Smith added seven.

Newman led Riverside 29-23 at halftime. But the Greenies blew it open in the second half behind a defense that held the Rebels to only 14 points, as Newman scored 33.

The Greenies are currently tied for the District 10-2A lead with John Curtis.

On Tuesday, Gregory Narcisse and Luther Ambrose each scored 14 to lead St. James to victory.

The Wildcats outscored Riverside 25-6 in the second quarter on its way to a 43-15 halftime advantage. The Rebels could never recover.

St. James built that lead in part due to a barrage of outside shooting that saw the Wildcats make eight 3-pointers.

For Riverside, Smith led the way with 10 points. Keller and Josh Tassin each scored eight.

Riverside faced Fisher on Tuesday, and returns to action this Friday against John Curtis.