MUSCODA - The Riverdale boys’ basketball team traveled to Boscobel to take on a tall, strong, and senior-led team on Thursday, Jan. 14.

“The visiting Chieftains showed incredible desire to succeed and in doing so, may have turned a few heads as well,” said Coach Joe Randall.

 Playing without senior leader Trevor Johnson, Riverdale would need a very good showing on the defensive end of the court if they were to have any chance of being competitive in this game, and that’s exactly what they did. Boscobel got out to a 15–5 lead, but Riverdale would have a run of their own.

“While scoring the next eight points, the Chieftains showed that they were here to play,” Randall said.

From here on out until the end of the first half, the two teams traded baskets back and forth. Riverdale used key three-point baskets from Michael Schaefer, Ethan Haffner, and Elijah Cannon to stay close with the Bulldogs.

“Dakota Fiebranz played his best game of the season thus far and was perfect from charity stripe on all five of his attempts in the first half,” Randall said.

Heading into the half Riverdale only trailed by four points.

The second half was much like the first half, with each team trading baskets back and forth. Although Riverdale lacked the depth, and size that Boscobel had, the Chieftains used hustle and high energy to stay well within striking distance in going for the win. In the end, Riverdale failed to hit on some key shots late in the game and ended up taking a 10 point loss.

“This game was much, much closer than what the ten point difference shows, as anyone in attendance of the game that night could be a witness to,” Randall said. “Great effort guys!”

The final score was Boscobel 67, Riverdale 57.

Scoring were: Elijah Cannon – 17; Dakota Fiebranz – 15; Ethan Haffner – nine; Cody Sperry – seven; Ty Hougan – five; Michael Schaefer – three; and Jeffery Anderson – one.