Clemons pours in 33 in Rolesville’s 66-57 victory over Cary

By: Zack Adams

2/21/18

ROLESVILLE — #16 Rolesville (16-10) advances to the Second Round of the 2018 NCHSAA Men’s Basketball Playoffs following a 66-57 win over #17 Cary (13-12). The Imps gave the Rams all they could handle Tuesday night but Ricky Clemons and company pulled away down the stretch to give Rolesville a second round birth.

Rolesville senior Ricky Clemons was a “walking bucket” on Tuesday. Clemons went for 33 points while grabbing five rebounds. The 6’2” senior guard also stepped to the foul line 20 times. Clemons made 16 of those 20 free throws, which accounts for 80%. Clemons was sent to the foul line 12 times in the fourth quarter where he went 11 of 12 (91%) to seal the victory. Fellow senior Reid Bowens complimented Clemons’ 33-point assault by tallying 12 points and six rebounds. Bowens also stepped outside and knocked down two much needed threes in the game. Seven of Bowens’ seven came in the second half. Dominique Johnson finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. More of a “quiet game” as we have seen in the past, but still knocked down key jumpers, grabbed needed rebounds, and sent the “Rolesville Riot” into an uproar with a couple of dunks. 

Coach Gus’ Imps were led by 17 points from junior Jett Fortuny. Fortuny shot three of five (60%) from three. Jalen Thomas and DJ Horne each contributed 12. Thomas scored eight of his 12 in the second half as he helped keep Cary in the game. The Leesville Road transfer (Horne) stuffed the stat sheet Tuesday evening. To go along with his 12 points, Horne grabbed five rebounds, fished out five assist, and forced four steals. 

Both Cary and Rolesville were without “regulars” in the Playoffs’ opening round. Cary missed starting center Philip Blackley (foot) Tuesday night. That was “huge” (pun intended) as the Imps got out rebounded 33-18 by the Rams. Rolesville were without starting point guard Jaylin Parker. Parker had missed two games in NAC-6 play against Heritage (77-62 L) and Corinth Holders (45-36 W). No apparent reason as to why Parker missed Tuesday’s game but the Rams would love to have him back in Thursday’s second round contest at Garner. 

The 16 seeded, Rolesville Rams will now travel to top seeded, Garner (24-1) on Thursday (Feb. 22). These two teams met twice earlier in the season where Garner took both match ups. Garner won 83-69 in their season opener and stole one 88-76 in overtime at Rolesville eight nights later. Garner has won 20 games in a row so a Rolesville upset Thursday would put an end to that streak and possibly Garner coach Eddie Gray’s tenure at the Wake County powerhouse.