2016 Year In Review: Ribault Upsets Wolfson in Overtime to Win Gateway Conference Championship

Wolfson High School- Wolfson’s  twenty two game win streak ended Saturday night as the Wolfpack fell to the Ribault Trojans in the Gateway Conference Championship game. The game was in front of a jam packed arena of fans that braved the cold weather to come and support the teams. The game would not disappoint .

Early on, both teams had the case of the big game jitters as the game was scoreless for the first three minutes of the first period. But Wolfson would jump out first with a 8-6 lead midway through the first. But Ribault would begin what would be their signature for the night, a rally to take the lead at the end of the first period 13-10. Wolfson had no answer for Darias Hicks or DBlock as fans affectionately call him. He forced the Wolfson guards to alter their lay-ups at the rim, and he blocked several shot attempts by the Wolfpack. Wolfson knew they had to make adjustments to their game after the first period.

In the second period the Wolfpack came out smokin, thanks to the play of guard  Tyriek Railey who upped the tempo of the game. Railey and Yusef Banaga slashed to the basket on fast breaks, but also knocked down shots from the perimeter to take a 21-16 lead in the second period.

Wolfson coming out strong pic.twitter.com/1uM7bv6KBl

— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) January 24, 2016

#5 for Wilson with the layup to make it 21-16 pic.twitter.com/V7jQwSPZLb

— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) January 24, 2016

But Ribault would rally once again and tie the game at the end of the first half thanks to a three pointer by Terry Stripling. The game was tied 27-27 at halftime.

Darias Hicks 8pts for the Trojans Tyriek Railey with 5pts for Wolfson! We’ve got ourselves a great game tonight! Tied 27-27 halftime!

— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) January 24, 2016

LIVE on #Periscope: Ribault vs Wolfson 2nd Half! https://t.co/WWgrZuR6MA

— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) January 24, 2016

In the second half Ribault would come out aggressive, knocking down big shots and capitalizing on second chance points. They would go up 32-29. But this time it was Wolfson’s turn to rally as Railey began to get into the zone. He led the Wolfpack on an 11-2 run putting them up 40-34 in the third. But Ribault would respond as they pushed the ball up court as well. Their big play of the third quarter was an alley-oop to Hicks who threw it down with authority, sending the capacity crowd into a craze. The score would remain tied after three 43-43.

In the fourth both teams would trade shots throughout, when Ribault surged ahead by four points 55-51. but the Trojans could not hold off the Wolfpack as Wolfson tied the game at 59-59. Wolfson would turn the ball over and Ribault failed to get a shot off in time and we were destined for overtime.

LIVE on #Periscope: Ribault Wolfson https://t.co/kCPI6G6YmG

— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) January 24, 2016

In overtime both teams would trade opening field goals, but Wolfson would turn the ball over three times early to begin overtime and commit costly fouls. Ribault, who struggled from the free throw line, converted their free throws when it counted and would go on to upset the Wolfpack. Tyriek Railey led all scorers with 24 points in the losing effort for Wolfson. Terry Stripling led Ribault with 19 points. Said Stripling after the game ” I wanted to put my team on my back, this was my last year so I just wanted to be there for my team”. He and his teammates stepped up big tonight.

For Ribault it is their second Gateway championship in as many weeks , as the girls basketball team also won their gateway conference championship. This marks the first time that both the girls and boys basketball teams have won the gateway championships since 2002.

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