Raptors Basketball Outrun Bobcats

RHAM’s Troy Miller defends an inbounds pass from Bacon Academy’s Jack Holmes during the Raptors 60-48 victory over the Bobcats last Saturday.  

Using an up-tempo offense and a ferocious press defense, RHAM boys’ basketball defeated Bacon Academy, 60-48, at RHAM High School on Jan. 21.

It was the Raptors fourth consecutive victory and snapped a three-game winning streak for the Bobcats.  

Junior Troy Miller scored a game-high 25 points as RHAM jumped out an eight-point advantage in the early stages and never looked back, ballooning the lead to as many as 20 points in the second half.

RHAM head coach Todd Dean said the quick start allowed his team to do what they do best, which is press on defense and generate transition points on the offensive end.  

“When you get out to a little bit of a lead it always helps you out,” added Dean. “I think we always play with passion, hustle and energy.”

Miller scored the game’s first two baskets, scoring on a rebound-putback and then canning a three-pointer from the wing on the following possession. 

A triple by senior Ryan Heneghan provided RHAM an 8-0 lead with 4:52 to play in the opening quarter. 

Heneghan and fellow senior Matthew Fraleigh are the team’s two captains this season. 

“We knew it was important to jump on them early,” said Fraleigh, who has four steals. “They are a good team, so it was good we got off to a hot start.”

Midway through the third quarter, Miller converted an old-fashioned three-point play and then hit a spinning layup as the Raptors took a commanding 43-23 lead.

Dean said Miller has been the team’s primary point producer this season thanks to his range from the outside and ability to attack the cup. 

“Troy has a scorer’s mentality and in most cases it helps us out because we need a guy that can score the ball,” added Dean. “He works hard on both ends of the court and he has been a huge asset for us.”

The Bobcats whittled the lead down to ten points early in early stages of the fourth quarter by going on a 12-2 run behind
senior captains Luke Grimord and Elijah Black, who combined to score eight points during the scoring spurt. 

With the lead cut in half, Fraleigh said the team talked about finishing strong during a timeout. 

“The longer they stick around the more they think they can beat you,” recalled Fraleigh. “We talked about keeping our foot on the gas.” 

RHAM responded by scoring 11 of the next 13 points.

Miller drained a three-pointer and a minute later Fraleigh made a contested layup while being fouled to provide RHAM a 54-39 advantage with less than three minutes to play in regulation. 

Dean has been impressed with how his players have stepped up this season after graduating seven seniors a year ago.
He credited his captains for helping the team pick up where they left off a year ago when they won 17 of 20 regular season games in Dean’s first season leading the program.

“They are more comfortable with me and they understand what I expect from them, whether it is on the court or things away from the court that helps us prepare,” stated Dean, whose team stands at 7-5 as of publication.  

The Raptors has also has balanced scoring this year with seven players scoring the win over Bacon. 

Heneghan and Road Trzaskos each netted nine points, while Brady Hulland (seven), Casper Miazga (four), Luke Polowitzer (three) and Fraleigh (three) also scored. 

“When we get the ball to everyone and everyone is touching the ball, it’s really good,” said Fraleigh. “As long as we keep moving the ball and getting everyone touches and good shots our offense can be good.”

Fraleigh added that the team is at their best when they are running in transition and his head coach agrees. 

​“I like to press and run up-tempo,” said Dean. “I want to pressure and I think at this level you can pressure most teams and have success if you do it correctly, and that is what we are trying to do.”