Riverland and RCTC men’s basketball push past first-round in Region XIII bracket

(KAAL-TV) — Two of the NJCAA’s Top-15 Division III teams are still alive in the Region XIII tournament.

The #1 Riverland Blue Devils and #14 RCTC Yellowjackets both won their first-round matches Friday, beating Itasca and Mesabi Range respectively.

For the Blue Devils, their outing gradually became easier. Lajarrion Spinks led Riverland with 16 points while Joe Burgos added 13 off the bench. Trayvon Smith and Cleveland Bedgood both finished with 10 points apiece. With the 89-51 win, Riverland has advanced to Saturday’s semifinals and will play Northland with a shot at the Region XIII championship at stake.

As for Yellowjackets fans, their collective viewing experience turned tense in the final minute. Mesabi Range’s Mark Campbell II would be fouled with seven seconds left while making both a bucket plus an and-1. Afterward, RCTC would catch a timely break when Keivonte Watts got fouled a split-second before the final buzzer. With a chance to win the game at the free-throw line, Watts would, unfortunately, go 1-for-2, and overtime would follow. RCTC would ultimately survive, 89-79, and will play Anoka-Ramsey in the semis on Saturday.

In addition to the men’s programs, both Riverland and RCTC’s women’s teams will begin their Region XIII tournament as well. All games can be streamed live on Anoka-Ramsey Athletics’ website.

ITASCA VS. #1 RIVERLAND

ITASCA

Nick Grant – 12 Points, 4 Rebounds, Steal

Deidrich Kemp – 12 Points, 3 Rebounds, 2 Turnovers

Jerome Washington – 11 Points, 4 Rebounds, Assist

RIVERLAND

Lajarrion Spinks – 16 Points, 4 Rebounds, Assist

Joe Burgos – 13 Points, 5 Steals, Block

Trayvon Smith – 10 Points, 8 Rebounds, Assist

Cleveland Bedgood – 10 Points, Rebound, 2 Assists

MESABI RANGE VS. #14 RCTC

MESABI RANGE

Ziaire Davis – 16 Points, 5 Rebounds, Steal

Nataj Sanders – 13 Points, 8 Rebounds, 2 Assists

Glentrel Carter – 13 Points, 4 Rebounds, 3 Assists

RCTC

Keivonte Watts – 26 Points, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists

Peyton Dunham – 12 Points, 7 Rebounds, Assist

Quentin Williams – 12 Points, 12 Assists, Assist