First-year Benton Academy head coach Jeremy Kent and his Raiders are still searching for their first win on the season after a 70-52 loss to St. Aloysius Monday night.
What they aren’t looking for is heart and desire.
The Raiders have that in spades, and it was on full display Monday night.
Against the bigger, more athletic St. Aloysius, the Raiders made up for what they may have lacked in athleticism and overall talent with a grit, toughness and fundamentally sound basketball.
The Raiders trailed 12-6 after one quarter and kept things close with a 15-19 second quarter to trail by just 10, 31-21, at the half.
Sophomore guard Colin Washington did his best to keep the Raiders in the game in the third quarter with a pair of electrifying moves that brought the Raider faithful to their feet.
Washington, along with guards Bryce Ables and Clayton Saxton fueled a 15-14 Raider third quarter, which allowed Benton to remain in striking distance.
St. Aloysius would pull away in the fourth quarter and the Raiders would eventually succumb to foul trouble and missed opportunities as the visitors outscored them 25-16 down the stretch.
Washington led the way with 24 points followed by Garrett Vandevere with eight and Ables with seven.
Other scorers were Lawson Nichols with five, Peyton McGlawn with four, Saxton with three and James Patterson with one.
Benton travels to Carroll Academy on Thursday.
