TAKING THINGS NATIONAL

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 25, 2010

By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Riverside is now squarely on the national radar.

The Rebels scored victories over the top-ranked team in the nation according to Rivals.com and the ninth-ranked team according to ESPN at the City of the Palms tournament in Fort Myers, Florida this week.

Riverside defeated Memphis Melrose (first in the nation), 66-56, and toppled Bishop Gorman (ninth) of Las Vegas, 59-51.

The Rebels split four games at the tourney. RA fell to Winter Park (FL), 75-63. Winter Park is ranked fourth nationally by USA Today. It also lost to Orlando Christian 70-62. Orlando Christian in ranked no. 47 by Rivals.

The Rebels also faced some of the nation’s very top players: Winter Park’s Austin Rivers (ESPN’s top ranked player in the 2011 class), Bishop Gorman’s Shabazz Muhammed (ESPN’s top ranked players among 2012 graduates) and Memphis Melrose’s Adonis Thomas (eighth among seniors).

“We not only faced the nation’s best teams but also its best players,” said Riverside coach Timmy Byrd. “We wanted to win the tournament and with a few breaks, we felt we had a chance to. But with a still inexperienced team, to beat two of the country’s top 10 teams … I feel we really grew up.”

Byrd said his team played easily its best game of the season against Memphis Melrose, surviving a 30-point outburst by Thomas.

Ricardo Gathers led Riverside (8-4) with 19 points. Louis Dabney scored 18. Donald Thomas and Zelvyn Smith each scored 12.

Riverside led 16-15 after a quarter but made its push in the second, holding Memphis Melrose to six points as it took a 30-21 halftime lead.

“Our defense is what allowed us to have the success we did,” said Byrd.

“This is the best defensive team I’ve ever had.”

Defense was the key again against Bishop Gorman.

The Rebels allowed no more than 11 points in any of the first three quarters and only six in the first.

Gathers scored 15 to lead the Rebels. Thomas and Lucas Martin scored 11. Dabney added 10.

Muhammed led all scorers with 29.

“He’s a great player, but we did a great job on everyone else,” said Byrd.

Against Winter Park, Riverside fell behind by nine in the second quarter and never recovered.

Gathers scored 21, and Dabney scored 17.

Rivers led Winter Park with 28.

It was a fast start that told the tale for Orlando Christian, taking a 19-11 first quarter lead and riding to an eight-point win.

Gathers scored 17. Dabney scored 14 and Martin scored 10.

But the victories spoke volumes — to America, and the Rebels’ own players.

“It puts Riverside Academy on the national map,” said Byrd. “And now our kids know that they are one of the top teams in America. They truly know that they can beat anyone.”