By RYAN ARENA
Sports Editor

Dunham displayed to Riverside exactly why the Tigers are ranked first in the LSWA Class 2A basketball poll earlier this week, capturing a 72-46 victory in Reserve on Monday.

Riverside (3-19) trailed 19-12 after a quarter and 38-24 at halftime.

But the Tigers ran away from there, outscoring the Rebels 36-22 in the second half to deny thoughts of a comeback.

Dunham (22-1) made nine 3-pointers in the game.

“It was a pretty close game in the first quarter. But after that, they shot the ball really well,” said Wilson. “They lit it up (from the perimeter) a little, and snuck out for a few run out baskets that hurt us.”

Kane Keller led Riverside with 12. Josh Tassin scored 11.

Wilson said that a big reason for Dunham’s top ranking is the sheer depth of the Tigers, who he says boasts seven starter-quality players. Six Dunham players scored eight points or more.

“They can all shoot, they can all put it on the floor. It’s hard to match up with,” Wilson said.

A more damaging loss came last Friday, as Riverside fell to District 10-2A foe John Curtis, 71-38, at John Curtis.

Riverside (3-18, 0-2) led 10-0 in the first quarter, but Curtis (8-4, 3-0) rolled from there. The Patriots trailed 10-9 after a quarter, but outscored Riverside 26-5 in the second quarter to take control.Curtis outscored the Rebels 36-25 in the fourth quarter.

Wilson credited Curtis’ physicality and size as playing a role, but took issues with some of the calls – and non-calls – that he felt the Patriots received.

“I thought it was an evenly-called game early on,” said Wilson. “But (Curtis) didn’t like the way it was being called. And from then on, it seemed like no matter what they did, it was all Curtis. Whatever call they wanted, they seemed to get.

“I’m not one to usually complain about officiating, but it got to be very frustrating. All I could tell my players was to just keep playing.”

Smith led the Rebels with 16 points.

Curtis countered with Jonathan McKnight, who scored 14 to lead the Patriots.

With district game scheduled against Carver yesterday, and Fisher this Tuesday, Wilson hoped to see his team notch two victories to even out its district record.

“If we can find a way to get those two, we’ll have our heads above water a little bit,” he said.