Symbolically, Riverside-Brookfield guard Billy VandeMerkt’s fourth quarter fist pump was the knockout punch that did in Ridgewood during the Bulldogs’ 57-42 win on Friday.
With the surging Rebels on a 7-1 run to pull within 40-34, RB’s Ryan Jackson hit a jumper followed by VandeMerkt’s dagger three-pointer from the top of the key. VandeMerkt’s timely basket accentuated by his show of emotion seemed to quell the Rebels’ rally bid.
After Ridgewood upset RB 73-69 last season, the rivalry certainly escalated into a major clash within the Metro Suburban Conference. The Bulldogs’ victory on Friday night completed a two-game sweep over the Rebels this season. Even the Bulldogs’ Sixth Man student section led by RB football players Tyler Radek, Ian Robertson and Zach Sollinger got into a spirited call and response battle with the Ridgewood fans.
“That’s just how it is, we don’t like each other too much,” said VandeMerkt with a laugh after the game. “But it was a good atmosphere. Hopefully we will be playing in that kind of atmosphere when we come back here in the sectional.”
Riverside-Brookfield (16-3, 7-1) started the game on fire with an 11-0 run and extended its lead to 17-4 at the 6:41 mark of the second quarter. The teams essentially traded baskets for the rest of the first half, with the Bulldogs taking a 29-15 lead at halftime. Riverside-Brookfield guard Sean McGonagill scored all of his team-high 14 points in the first half.
In the third quarter, the Bulldogs again pushed out to a 35-18 advantage; however, Ridgewood made four baskets (all three-pointers) to stay within striking range at 39-27.
“We expected it to be tough,” McCloskey said. “Ridgewood is a great shooting team. It came down to the wire and I thought Billy hit a huge three for us down the stretch. We got some boards and we got some stops. It’s a good conference win for us.”
VandeMerkt (13 points, 5 assists), Watoris Slater (10 points, 9 rebounds), Terrence Reed (9 points, 9 rebounds) and Ryan Jackson (9 points) all played well down the stretch to hold off the Rebels (12-11, 4-4). Adrain Kuszewski scored 12 points and T.J. Zornow added nine points for Ridgewood.
“This game was just all about hustle,” Slater said. “We had to get after loose rebounds because they out-rebounded us in the first half. It was basically our effort; we had to keep the energy going.”
With the exception of two losses to Lyons Township (the only unbeaten team in the Chicago area) and a rare conference setback to Timothy Christian, the Bulldogs have knocked off everyone in their path this season. The triple threat of McGonagill, Jackson and VandeMerkt on the perimeter, bolstered by the solid play of Slater and Reed, bodes well for a special finish to the season.
“We’re feeling good like we can do something,” Jackson said. “We want to make some noise and we might win something, you never know.”
Riverside-Brookfield hosts Illiana Christian this Friday night (7 p.m.).