Ridgeway Is State Bound!!!

Khalil Spencer 7th Grader (15 pts and 8 rebounds)

The defending 2009 state champs will not be defending their title this year after a loss to Ridgeway tonight that  ended their season, 42-40. With Ridgeway holding on to a slim lead after a 3 pointer to end the half by Javion Hamlett,  American Way hoped to come out with more energy but Ridgeway’s Khalil Spencer had other plans. Starting the 3rd as his teammate ended it, Spencer hit a big 3 over Joseph Williams on the first play of the half to put his team up 7, 25-18. Free  throws which plagued the Eagles in the second half became a problem as one by one, the Eagle players either made 1 of 2 or missed both free throws at a time when they needed them the most. Spencer at one time score 6 straight points as he clearly became Ridgeway’s go to guy. His short deuce put his team up 8 with 4:00 left. After a Dillon Mitchell 2 on a floater that bounced in the rim,  the biggest shot of the game occured on the next possession. After grabbing a rebound on a missed shot by his teammate, Terrell Houston, Dennis Price scored on a putback that put Ridgeway back up 7 with under 1:20 remaining in the game. American Way got  it closer on a 3 by Mitchell but just 10.2 seconds remained on the clock. With them having to foul, Malik Sanders who had just sunk 2 free throws hit two more and basically sealed the game for his team who also will advance to the Large Schools state tournament. Once again, the final, 42-40 for the Ridgeway Roadrunners. Congratulations go to Coach Phillips and his squad and also Coach Franklin at American Way.