Published: February 20, 2008 02:42 pm            

Raiders net 20th victory

FAIRVIEW - East Carter became the second team in the 16th Region to hit the 20-win mark this season with an impressive 55-42 effort at Fairview, last Friday. Top-ranked and defending champion Elliott County has already passed the victory milestone.

The Raiders, ranked just below Elliott County and Rose Hill, turned to the defensive side of the basketball to get the win. Brandon Baker’s club clamped down on the hosts keeping the Eagles away from the iron most of the night. Fairview managed just 14-47 shooting for 29-percent from the field while the guys from Grayson connected on 18-42 for 43-percent.

The Raiders (20-5) had taken 13 of their last 14 games before falling to Raceland earlier last week. In that span, the only loss prior to the Rams was that one-point heartbreaker at Elliott County - the site of next week’s 62nd District Tournament.

Drew Johnson finished with a game-best 14 points for East and Ryan Sagraves followed with 13. Tyler Jackson had eight points and Colt Barnhill put give points with a team-high nine rebounds. Devin Kawada and Mark Pemberton each hit for a half-dozen and Kyle Bair chipped in three points.

The Raiders, second-seeded in next week’s district draw behind Elliott County, face rival West Carter in next Monday’s opening round. The hosting Lions take the floor against Morgan County in the other first-night contest.

East Carter hosted Bath County, last night (Tuesday) in the regular-season finale. The Raiders celebrated Senior Night honoring Drew Johnson and Ryan Sagraves.

        

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