Richfield runs away from South

Prologue
Its the annual South vs Richfield matchup which always seems to be at Richfield for some reason.  This year is no exception.  No taco in a bag this year at Richfield, very disappointing.  The option to go with Doritos or Fritos was highly underrated.  Tartan coach Mark Klingsporn looking on along with Carleton assistant/Fury director Ben Davis and Holy Angels coach Larry McKenzie.

Game Time
Carnell Sheppard gets South off to a good start with a triple, a rebound and coast to coast layup and then 2 free throws on a Richfield yapping technical.  He then sits with his second foul.  13-9 South at the 12:43 mark.  In a surprise he returns at the 9:28 mark and scores a minute later.  The scorers table is a revolving door and players are coming in and out at a furious pace.  Richfield soph Deshawn Jones with his 2nd 3 of the half to cut the South lead to 22-20 at the 7:40 mark.  A Jordan Stefon layup gives Richfield their first lead 29-27 at the 3:46 mark.  The rest of the half is up and down with easy buckets.  43-41 South at the half.

Richfield scores the first 2 buckets of the second half and South wants a quick timeout.  Then Richfield's Jordan Noonan takes over.  A floater for 2 and then he runs out for a layup.  57-54 Richfield with 11:20 left.  Noonan with back to back bombs and a great pass to Jones for a layup.  65-54 Richfield with 9 minutes left.  John Johnson with a layup and then a very good 2nd pass gives him a wide open 3.  72-58 Richfield with 7:15 left.  15-4 Richfield run over 4 minutes.  South center Mohamed Mohamed with a 17 footer jumper, 2 inside and a layup with 5:05 left, Richfield up 77-64.  But the pace is too much as Richfield runs away late.  Noonan scoop to the hoop and another drive for 2 and why not another assist.  Then a 3 point play and 2 free throws to push the lead to 88-64 with 2:45.  The 11-0 puts this one way out of reach.  Richfield wins 96-68.

Post Game
For South, center Mohamed Mohamed leads the way with 14 points.  He also provides a shot blocking presence inside.  Props to coach Klingsporn for hearing the name and pulling out the Duany Duany (former UW Badger) reference.  Carnell Sheppard with all 10 of his points in the first half, 7 in the first 5 minutes.  After making his first 2 field goals, he was 1-13 from the floor including 0-11 in the second half.  South was a much better team with him at the point against the helter skelter style Richfield played.  But he spent most of the night playing the shooting guard spot.  His composure handling the ball is what teams need against the Richfield style.  South falls to 1-3.  They host 1-3 Buffalo on Wednesday.

There are teams that claim to run and then are teams that really run.  Richfield really gets out and runs the floor in a crazy fast pace.  54 points in the second half is proof.  Very little halfcourt offense either way in this game.  Richfield has absolutely no size but run 10 guys in and out and can wear you out.  Jared Noonan had limited minutes in the first half, but blew up for 19 of his 21 points in the 2nd half.  Most of those in the 2 runs that put this one away.  Lorenzo Evans and John Johnson with 16 and 15 points respectively getting to the rack.  Keep an eye on freshman Louis Williams who is listed at 5'11" but plays like he's about 6'5".  Freakishly athletic and long.  Richfield played without point guard Daron Garvis who sat out with a sprained knee but hopes to return next week when the 2-0 Spartans travel to Grand Rapids.  But the battle of Richfield against Holy Angels awaits on Wednesday.