Garfield Hangs on at Home Against Roosevelt

Garfield Hangs on at Home Against Roosevelt
By Colin Caruso

The undefeated Garfield Bulldogs (16-0) have had little competition this season. With just one game of their first 15 decided by single digits, the Bulldogs have strolled down the stretch of the majority of their contests, with the game comfortably in their hands. Cameron Haslam and the Roosevelt Roughriders vowed to not make that the case on Friday night.

Garfield previously beat the Roughriders at Roosevelt by 21, a game that was decided early in the contest. Garfield jumped out to an early lead in this one too, 8-0 run to begin, allowing everyone to think this would be another Bulldog walkover. Roosevelt clung on to the first quarter after the Bulldog immediate surge, and held right around a ten point deficit throughout the first three quarters. Throughout these quarters, junior guard Cameron Haslam led his Roughriders offensively, scoring 24 points going into the fourth.

The Bulldogs won each of the first three quarters and held a 12 point lead entering the fourth. The Roughriders knew that this was their opportunity, their chance to make a dent in the perfect Bulldog record. Their interior defense strengthened, pushing the Bulldogs off the offensive glass and grabbing a few offensive rebounds of their own. The Roughrider offense also began to open up, working to capture baskets closer to the hoop and getting to the line and taking advantage of those chances.

The Roughriders found themselves clawing back, down two points with just 2.5 seconds on the clock. Haslam scored another 8 points in the fourth, putting his game high total at 32, but he did not receive the ball in the waning seconds. Instead it went to another Roughrider, who unfortunately traveled on the play and was unable to put up a final shot. Led by Tramaine Isabell with 23 points, the Bulldogs were able to sneak away with just a two point win.

Top Performers:
Roosevelt
Cameron Haslam – 32 points

Garfield
Tramaine Isabell – 23 points