May 17, 2025, Petersburg VA - The Petersburg Cavaliers faced the under manned Philly Raiders in the “Palace of Opponent Tears” also known as Petersburg High School. After winning 3 previous games vs the Raiders, the Cavs fell short in this contest and what made it worse, it was a buzzer beater…. OUCH!
The Philly Raiders showed poise knowing that they were undermanned for this game, with 2 of their leading scorers unavailable. Also, with their big center missing the game the Raiders locked in defensively and put on a 3-point clinic in the 3rd to lock in the win. For the Cavs this was game 1 of a doubler headed this weekend. With a sizable 50-39 lead going into halftime, some would say the Cavs started thinking about the next game on Sunday vs Fayetteville.
The 3rd Quarter was where Philly took what Walker said to heart, they game planned and executed to perfection. The Raiders ended up winning the quarter 33-25 and went into the fourth down 3, 75-72.
The 4th Quarter the Raider also out scored the Cavs 31-26, Raquan Johnson led all scores with 34 points and John Johnson had 25, Shaq Shannon had 20, Sam Smith added 14 and Richad Collins added 9 for the Raiders.
The Cavs Elijah Moore had 21 with two clutch 3s coming at the end of the game with 9 seconds left. Then John Johnson hit the game winner at the buzzer after receiving a scene that left him one on one with Cavs center Raemaad Wright. Wright added 18 points with 24 rebounds, Crump with 17 points, Morgan with 15 and Thompson with 10.
The Cavs have a bye this upcoming weekend and will be back in action on May 31 for the season finale at home vs the Goldsboro Wings in the battle for ‘Rebounder of the Year’.
