Ashley Sims – Riverdale Baptist. Photo by Isaac Recinos (IG)
By Eric Brilliant
Two of the more talented teams in this year’s CHSL matched up Saturday in a wild overtime thriller. Clinton Grace came into the game undefeated at 2-0, while Riverdale was 1-1, getting their first win after a tough opening loss to McNamara.
After a bit of a sloppy start, Clinton Grace got out to an 11-4 lead thanks to a couple of three’s from the Lyons brothers. Clinton Grace’s defensive pressure in the first half stifled Riverdale’s halfcourt offense, causing some frustrating turnovers.
After a couple of technical free throws for Clinton Grace, Grace took a 20-4 lead with 7 minutes left in the half. Dominic Carr (F, ‘25) stopped the Grace run with a layup, helping settle the nerves for Riverdale.
Mt. Zion transfer, Khalib Norcome (W, ‘26) had a pair of buckets to expand the lead and helped Clinton Grace grab the rebounding advantage in the first half. Riverdale was able to get some offensive rhythm going towards the end of the half, but Clinton Grace went into the half up 32-17.
Riverdale set the tone on the defensive end to start the half, opening with a thunderous block from Dominic Carr and creating several Grace turnovers. Point guard Kamari Cooke (‘25) got the scoring going for Riverdale, knocking down a corner three. Riverdale looked to be gaining momentum, but Clinton Grace responded.
CJ Lyons (G, ‘26) really showcased his shooting prowess all game. Lyons has a smooth stroke and polished offensive game for an underclassmen. Lyons hit a big triple to give Clinton Grace their largest lead of the game of 17.
Riverdale was unfazed and continued playing better basketball. Jacoby Briscoe (G, ‘27) had a nice strip and finished on the other end with a big time dunk and the foul. Ashley Sims followed up on the next possession with an offensive rebound and got to the free throw line, hitting both shots from the stripe and cutting the deficit to under 10.
Riverdale did a good job of increasing their defensive intensity and getting to the free throw line. Riverdale continued to get downhill and draw contact in the second half.
There were a handful of posterizing dunks by both teams, but none better than Gio Sanford’s (G, ‘25) and-1 dunk that sparked Riverdale’s comeback. Sanford was a big part of Riverdale’s improved offensive attack in the second half. Sanford had no points in the first half, but had 12 in the second half.
Point guard Ean McLaughlin (‘26) was an anchor for Riverdale on the defensive end. McLaughlin might be undersized for the position, listed at 5’8, but McLaughlin is a bulldog for Riverdale and was everywhere on the court. McLaughlin had three steals and had a couple of big shots. McLaughlin hit a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to a one possession game with ten minutes left and then hit a three to tie the game for the first time since the opening tip.
Clinton Grace weathered the storm with a poster of their own from Abdul Tarawally (F, ‘27) and some help from Zoje Owinje (G, ‘26), who had a nice offensive game, finishing with 17 points and seven rebounds.
This game was back-and-forth down the stretch, but Clinton Grace seemed to grab control after a CJ Lyons three and a layup from J’lon Lyons (G, ‘27), which gave Clinton Grace a five point lead with under five to play. However, Sanford continued his strong 2nd half with clutch free throws and a mid range jumper to keep Riverdale close.
Clinton Grace had a one point lead entering the closing minute. Norcome knocked down a pair of free throws and Owinje had a big layup to put the lead back at five. With under 20 seconds left, Riverdale’s hopes were dwindling, but McLaughlin hit a three to cut the deficit to 61-59 with 14 seconds left.
Out of the timeout, Clinton Grace ran an inbound play, giving the ball to Norcome who was fouled by Riverdale immediately. Norcome missed the front end, leaving Riverdale with 11 seconds and the ball down by two. Riverdale couldn’t get their initial read, but swung the ball to Jacoby Briscoe who drove through traffic and finished a difficult layup to tie the game, sending this one to overtime.
Riverdale took their momentum from the end of regulation into overtime, taking an early three point lead. Ashley Sims (F, 25), who is one of Riverdale’s star players, was quiet for much of the game but delivered in overtime with a couple of baskets. Sims scored a layup, which gave Riverdale a four point lead with 50 seconds left.
To no surprise Jacoby Briscoe delivered again with the dagger as he got an and-1 with 24 seconds left, icing the game for Riverdale. The Crusaders, who were down by 17 at one point in the second half, get a huge win over their conference counterparts, moving to 2-1 on the season.
Clinton Grace will look to respond after a tough loss against Lanham Christian on Sunday while Riverdale will look to make the win streak three against the Patriots on Tuesday.