Riverside was able to hang on against Valley Heights to keep its season alive. The final score in Blue Rapids on Tuesday night was 54-45.

The game was all about runs. Riverside started with an 8-3 lead before Valley Heights implemented a half-court 2-3 Trap defense. This forced the Cyclones into a lot of turnovers in which the Mustangs were able to convert to layups and a 10-0 run.

Valley Heights backed off and Riverside made them pay for it. The Cyclones from half-way through the first quarter through two minutes left in the second quarter, went on a 16-0 run to get their lead up to 11. In the last two minutes of the half, though, the Mustangs went right back on a 9-2 run to make it a 26-22 Riverside lead at halftime.

Riverside senior TodRick Griffin had 15 points in the first half and ten points in the first quarter.

In the third quarter, it was both TodRick Duncan and Percy Duncan who combined for 13 of the team’s 17 points for Riverside. This helped them get their lead up to 13 going into the fourth quarter.

Riverside continued their dominance for most of the fourth quarter with their lead getting up to as large as 17 at one point. However, Valley Heights was able to get back into the game with senior Caden Parker scoring seven points in the quarter. The Cyclones’ lead got down to five, but they were able to hang on for the victory.

TodRick Duncan finished with 26 points making him the “Player to Bank On” brought to you by Farmers State Bank. Percy Duncan finished with 14 points as well.

Parker and sophomore Royce Ekstrum led Valley Heights in scoring with 14 points apiece.

Riverside advances to the Class 2A Horton Sub-State semifinal round and will play top-seed Jefferson County North.

Valley Heights finishes their season with a record of 9-13.