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Over three months of basketball is officially over for Rutherford County as all four county teams that made the postseason were dropped in the first week.
No matter what the East Rutherford men’s team did this season, they couldn’t find a way to beat Shelby. After destroying Madison in the first round, it was another trip back to Shelby, but fell for the fourth time this season to the Golden Lions, 71-67. They held another double-digit lead before it came unraveled late.
East Rutherford’s ladies easily dispatched of Owen in the first round, but were dealt a hard fought decision at Pisgah, losing 74-63.
The Lady Hilltoppers downed Foard on the road, but R-S Central couldn’t overcome a second road trip to Catawba Hickory in three days. They lost to Hickory 64-60, who has now ended the Lady Hilltoppers season for the third year in a row.
After another up and down season R-S Central’s men got to the playoffs, but had a tough time in Franklin and lost 69-55.
I will name my all-county girls team next week, but here are the boys.
All Rutherford County boys:
Travis Waldroup-Rodriguez (East Rutherford) - The transfer from Thomas Jefferson to East was hardly a problem at all. Led the county in scoring (18.1 per game) and in three’s on the year. Still has one more year to go and less than 100 points away from topping 2,000 points in his career.
Devonte Boykins (East Rutherford) - It was a long road to recovery after an ACL kept him sidelined for six months and out the first eight games of his junior season. Boykins still has a great explosiveness to the basket and jump out of the gym. Scored 12.2 points per game and led the Cavs with four assists per game.
T.J. Watkins (East Rutherford) - Had a great senior year and career, but will go down as one of the top five best defenders this county has ever come across. Nobody hustles to make a play like he does and was a major factor during the Cavaliers run to the 2A state championship in 2011.
Jarvis Hopper (East Rutherford) - The senior played big in some games where he had to step up. Scored in doubles figures in 17 games this season and led the team in rebounding this season.
Roddric Ross (East Rutherford) - Just a junior, but can bury the 3-ball as well as anybody in the county. Was second in made 3’s at East this season and grabbed 4.5 rebounds per contest.
Jay Blanton (R-S Central) - The senior leader ran point guard admirably and tossed in 12.7 points per game. He also led the Hilltoppers in assist per game with five.
Jaylen Hollis (R-S Central) - Led Central and the county in blocked shots on the year, but also had a flair to create some excitement on both ends.
Reshaun Whitesides (R-S Central) - Although, Coach Greg Wright caught a nice surprise this season, it may have been the biggest surprise in the county basketball season. Whitesides led the Hilltoppers in scoring (16.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.9 rpg) as a junior. Also led the team in deflections on defense and his positioning aided Central’s crashing of the boards.
Shad Blanton (Chase) - The best pure shooter Chase had this season. He did about everything one could ask in leading this team during his senior year, but couldn’t get to the playoffs as Shelby and East took those 2A spots.
Efrim Borders Thomas Jefferson - Led Thomas Jefferson basketball in nearly every statistical category this season. Good rebounder with explosiveness to the rack.
Honorable Mention: Steven Holland (Chase), Jordan Hamliton (R-S Central).
