“THREE!” the announcer called, as freshman Rick Barros III’s shot sailed in.
The crowd cheered Barros on as he ran back to his defensive position.
Barros picked a good time to set a personal record for 3-pointers: six in the first playoff game against Faith Christian High School, Feb. 25.
As expected, the boys easily beat Faith, 76-49, and will face Victory Christian School in the second round.
The boys held a steady lead throughout, mostly by more than 20 points.
Barros was the game’s high scorer with 28 points (including four 3-pointers in the first quarter).. Freshman Jayce McCain had 19 (with three 3-pointers), and freshman B.J. Askew had 12 (one 3-pointer). Junior Brad Petchauer also shot a 3-pointer.
“Once (the first 3-pointer) went in, we knew we were gonna get buckets,” McCain said.
With the game well in hand, coach Dave Ancrum was less animated than usual on the sidelines.
“I let the guys know I’m behind them 100 percent; they’re playing hard and that’s all I can ask for,” he said.
The Cavs will not practice before their next round, though Askew said they might have a “low-key shoot-around.”
“We have to rest our legs, though,” he added.
Ancrum noted that the boys will have to be a lot more careful as they start playing higher-seeded teams.
“Everything is going to be tougher now,” he said.
The Victory game begins at 7 p.m. at home.
