SPRINGFIELD — It was not Rutherford’s night to be dethroned.
The reigning District 1-5A champion dispatched upstart rival Bay 73-46 Friday at the Ram House. Rutherford more than defended its court in remaining unbeaten in six district games. Bay fell for the first time in 1-5A.
Rutherford’s Khaliel Spearman led all scorers with 26 points, eight of those coming in the second quarter when the Rams took over to lead by 19 at the half. Bay slowed the tempo in the first quarter, but Spearman and the Rams had enough of the Tornadoes.
“I told my team ‘we’re not playing Rutherford Rams ball,’ ” Spearman said. “We weren’t locking them up on defense. We locked up on D and took them out of their offense.”
Bay (13-4, 5-1) stayed in the game in the first eight minutes, leading by as many as four on Javylon Wilson’s 3-pointer late in the quarter. The 14-10 lead was erased behind a 7-2 run capped by Gabriel Steele’s basket near the buzzer. Rutherford led 17-16 at that point and the contest quickly was out of hand in a matter of minutes.
Leading 19-17, Spearman and Keith Arts made back-to-back 3-pointers to increase the advantage to eight with 5:49 to play in the second. Steele added a traditional three-point play on the next possession following a Bay timeout and one of 16 Tornado turnovers.
Josh Wade made the first of two free throws and Keith McNeil was whistled for a technical foul. Wade finished off three more free throws to increase the lead to 32-17.
Bay was finished at that point and trailed 41-22 at halftime.
“You got to give all the credit to Rutherford,” Bay coach Michael Grady said. “My kids didn’t match their intensity and that was disappointing.”
Rutherford outscored Bay 24-6 in the pivotal second quarter. The Rams cooled in the third, scoring only nine points, but turned on the intensity in the final stretch with 23 points. Spearman added nine points in the final quarter, tossing the ball at the rim with confidence.
It was confidence created in the second quarter that delivered Rutherford (13-3, 6-0) a resounding victory. Bay couldn’t match Rutherford despite a spirited rally by Tommy Wade, who scored 13 of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter.
Grady said it wasn’t a matter of Bay not being ready to challenge for the crown. He’s confident Bay will play better when it hosts Rutherford Jan. 24 in what will be the second of likely at least three meetings between the teams this season.
Spearman said the Rams sat back and heard the chatter wafting through Bay County about the Tornadoes’ resurgence. Steele added 17 points, Arts 12 and Wade 10 to put to rest the murmurs on this night.
“We were being counted out,” Spearman said.” Everyone made it seem like it was Bay High’s year. I’m proud of my team and so excited to get this win.”
Rutherford’s junior varsity also enjoyed an easy night with a 68-54 win. Derrick Harrell led Rutherford with 14 points and Carza Harvey paced Bay with 16.
Rutherford is next at Arnold on Monday in a rematch of a game won 69-48 by the Rams Dec. 3. Bay hosts Tallavana Christian also Monday.
BAY (46)
Wilson 3 2-3 9, Goodman 1 0-0 2, Rivers 2 1-2 5, McNeil 0 1-2 1, Robinson 1 0-2 2, Patterson 4 1-1 9, Wade 6 4-7 16, Johnson 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 9-17 46.
RUTHERFORD (73)
Wade 3 4-5 10, Dunton 0 1-2 1, Turner 2 0-0 5, Steele 7 2-3 17, Spearman 11 1-2 26, Arts 5 0-0 12, Smith 1 0-0 2. Totals: 29 8-12 73.
Bay 16 6 6 18 — 46
Rutherford 17 24 9 23 — 73
3-point field goals: Bay (Wilson), Rutherford 7 (Spearman 3, Arts 2, Turner, Steele). Rebounds: Bay 21, Rutherford 33. Turnovers: Bay 16, Rutherford 10. Team fouls: Bay 10, Rutherford 14. Fouled out: None.