Brinkley fuels Rebels’ romp

There was this moment late in the Douglas Freeman-Deep Run basketball game last night when the Rebels' Billy Giles penetrated the Wildcats' scrambling defense from the left side on a fast break and spotted Josh Brinkley moving toward the hoop along the right baseline.

As they made eye contact, Brinkley pointed his right forefinger upward, and Giles adroitly lofted a pass in the direction of the goal.

With perfect timing, the 6-5 senior center soared, grabbed the ball with only his right hand and slammed it home as the boisterous home crowd roared its approval.

It was Brinkley's final bucket in a splendid 26-point performance in and was symbolic of Freeman's domination that resulted in a 71-50 victory over its Colonial District rival.

"Everybody was knocking down their shots," Brinkley said. "Everybody was taking it hard to the rack. Everybody was playing their role."

The Rebels, No. 4 in The Times-Dispatch Top 10, jumped on the No. 7 Wildcats early, hitting 12 of their 15 first-quarter shots and racing to a 25-13 lead after eight minutes.

"We knew Deep Run would come in with a lot of energy," DF coach Larry Parpart said. "You either match it, or you're in trouble.

"I thought we did a good job with intensity at both ends."

The'Cats' Andrew Peaden hit 3 of his 4 treys in the first half and Dallas Simmons added another, but Freeman took a 39-26 lead into the locker room.

The visitors, though, came out more patient and poised on offense and intense on defense, scored seven unanswered points in the first 3:25, closed to 39-33 and appeared on the brink of wresting the momentum from the Rebels.

At 3:08, Jake Eastman scored from close range off an assist from Philip Rohrer, Brinkley followed with a stick-back, and Freeman was on its way to a 49-39 advantage after three quarters that would become a runaway in the fourth.

"They came out strong at the half," Brinkley said. "We took a timeout and regrouped. Coach gave us a little spiel. We got it back together."

The Rebels went after the Wildcats with their trademark man-to-man, held them to 18-for-55 shooting and forced 11 turnovers, many of which they converted to offensive opportunities.

They were 34 for 60 from the field and outrebounded Deep Run 38-30.

They were unselfish on offense and played with a purpose at both ends of the court.

"Defense is our game," Rohrer said. "We play with relentless effort.

"We'll definitely get after you."

Deep Run ------------------------- 13 13 13 11 - 50
Douglas Freeman ------------------------- 25 14 10 22 - 71

Deep Run (3-2, 3-2) - Simmons 3, Jackson 2, Chambon 0, Dosh 9, Wood 0, Johnson 3, Sudon 2, Peaden 12, Folliard 8, Valentine 0, Exum 11, Molnar 0. Totals 18 9-13 50.

Douglas Freeman (3-0, 6-0) - Eastman 11, Mann 5, Smalley 2, Susic 0, N. Turner 0, Smith 0, O'Connor 2, Giles 14, Witty 0, Rohrer 11, Janney 0, Brinkley 26, J. Turner 0, Tucker 0. Totals: 32 6-8 71.

3-point goals: DR - Peaden 4, Simmons. DF - Eastman.