Boys Basketball: Rich South answers alarm vs. Kankakee

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Updated: March 1, 2012 8:16AM

It was the most exciting play of the night for host Kankakee that seemingly ignited a spark in Rich South.

The Kays’ Alvin Braddock stole the ball at halfcourt and threw down a thunderous one-handed dunk in what was to that point a lackluster offensive display by both teams.

That play apparently got under the skin of the Stars, who went on a 27-5 half-ending run to eventually cruise to a 66-43 Southland Conference win Friday night.

“We talked about that and we weathered the storm there,” Rich South coach Scot Ritter said. “Actually, I didn’t think we played real well. We got sloppy toward the end. If we want to do something, we have to remain consistent.”

The Stars (16-5, 4-1) led 12-7 after a quarter and 35-12 at halftime. The Kays (5-14, 0-5) would get no closer than 18 points in the second half.

Rich South’s John Ruffin broke a 2:24 game-opening scoring drought with a three-point play. Ruffin, the Stars’ leading scorer (13.0 points per game), didn’t start but was in the game for the remainder of the game.

“I had some disciplinary action with the coach,” said Ruffin, who finished with 15 points. “When (Braddock) dunked I told everybody to calm down, it was just two points and let’s get after it.”

Teammate Ralph Abraham got after it, finishing with 14 points, while Cedric Russell added 10. Kyle Loy had all 11 of his points in the second half to lead the Kays. Braddock was held to eight points and four rebounds, well below his per-game averages of 19.0 points and 15.0 rebounds.

The Kays had 18 turnovers in the first half, six more than they had points during that span, and ended with 25 total.