Red Rose knocks off Raider in Opener

Isaiah Wilmore

In a game that was about more than just basketball the Red Rose Thunder got the win over the Philly Raiders 109-102. The Raiders coming off of a comeback victory over the Coastal Elite Pirates were ready when they came into the KROC Center in Camden NJ on Sunday. The Raiders scored the opening basket of the game and took an early 4-2 lead less than 45 seconds into the game. However, this would be the last time the Raiders would have the lead. As the Thunder went on a 19-6 run led by newcomer Will Morrison's 8 early points. Unfortunately for the Thunder, the Raiders wouldn't go down without a fight as they would go on a 14-7 run to close the quarter led by newcomer Eddie Callender (6'7''-F)'s 12 1st-quarter points. However, the Thunder were able to pull away in the 2nd quarter going on a 14-3 run. This was because of the Thunder's great defense led by guard George Williams and newcomer Rick Jackson who finished the game with 21 rebounds and 4 blocks. Once again the Philly Raiders had an answer cutting the lead to 8 points right before Halftime. Then with 15 seconds left before halftime Thunder captain Davenport Demetrius (6'4''-PG, college: Mercyhurst NE) placed the ball on the right block to honor Mekhi Clemons. This is where Mekhi last scored as a member of the Red Rose Thunder; he passed away this past September in a tragic accident. During halftime, the Thunder brought Mekhi's family to the court and honored him by officially retiring the number 13 and giving the family his framed jersey from the previous season. Mekhi was more than a basketball player he was a great person, father, mentor, and eighth-grade history teacher in Philadelphia. After the ceremony, there were still another 24 minutes of basketball to play and emotions were at an all-time high. The Thunder started off slow and the Raiders were able to cut the lead down to 3 points and only trailed by 6 going into the 4th quarter. However, the Thunder once again went on a run led by Tyreek Riddick (6'2''-G)'s 3 three-pointers the Thunder were able to extend their lead to 16 points. The Raiders were able to cut the lead down to 7 due to late turnovers by the Thunder and Ben Mingledough (6'4''-G/F, college: W.Chester)'s 18 4th-quarter points. In the end, though the Thunder ended with the win in a game that was about more than just basketball. Red Rose Thunder Forward and ECBL Mid Atlantic Sixth Man of The Year Isaiah Wilmore (6'4''-F, college: Neumann) lead the team in scoring with 21 points. Followed by captains Tyreek Riddick with 17 points and 5 threes and Davenport Demetrius with 15 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds. The Raiders were led by Ben Mingledough's 31 points and 8 rebounds as well as Eddie Callender's 25 points and 11 rebounds. The Thunder are back in action this Saturday as they take on the (1-0) Western Mass Zombies at 7 PM in Springfield Massachusetts.
Courtesy of: ECBL

Tags : ISAIAH WILMORE, RED ROSE THUNDER, ECBL BASKETBALL