AHOSKIE – Ridgecroft dominated the fourth quarter to claim a 63-47 victory over Northeast Academy in the boy’s consolation game of the Lt. Nick Brantley Scholarship Tournament here Friday.

The Rams had seven players score a total of 17 points in the final eight minutes of action. Their defense held the Eagles to just four points, making what had been a three-point game an easy win.

Ridgecroft took an 8-2 lead early in the first quarter, but two baskets by Brandon Futrell and a John Pope deuce tied the score at eight.

Austin Britton scored a bucket and Josh Morris hit from three-point range to pull the Rams back out front.

Jeremy Parker hit first of two foul shots, but a trey from Logan Kinlaw kept Ridgecroft ahead by seven (16-9).

Jud Smith’s jumper was answered by Britton and Morris added a free throw to give the Rams a 19-11 lead going into the second quarter.

Kinlaw hit from behind the arc to start the third, giving the Rams a double digit lead.

Pope and Futrell scored a basket and Parker made a free throw to pull Northeast within six (22-16).

Ridgecroft scored the next eight points, stretching their lead to 14. Pope’s bucket ended the scoring run.

Smith added a basket while Pope and Parker sank both shots from the charity stripe to pull Northeast within six (30-24).

Baskets by Britton and Dillon Lowe sandwiched a Josh Jenkins putback.

Futrell scored a basket and Parker added one free throw in the final seconds to keep Northeast within three, 34-31, at the half.

After trading baskets for most of the quarter Northeast took a 43-42 lead after back-to-back baskets by Smith and Futrell.

Lowe scored two baskets in the final minute to pull Ridgecroft back out front, 46-43.

The Rams scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth period, extending their lead to 17.

Logan Wheeler came off the bench and scored a free throw and a trey for Northeast.

Christopher Godwin hit a three to seal the win as Ridgecroft took the 63-47 win.

Lowe led the Rams with 18 points. Britton and James Taylor added 11 points apiece.

Northeast was led by Futrell with 12 points and Smith, who scored 10.

The Eagles struggled at the line, missing 17 free throws (10-of-27).

They also struggled under the basket, getting outrebounded by the Rams which led to numerous second and third chance scoring opportunities for Ridgecroft.

Ridgecroft (63):

Dillon Lowe n 18, Logan Kinlaw n 12, James Taylor n 11, Austin Britton n 11, Josh Morris n 4, Christopher Godwin n 3, Ethan Phelps n 2, Hanes Joyner n 2

Northeast (47):

Brandon Futrell n 12, Jud Smith n 10, Josh Jenkins n 8, John Pope n 6, Jeremy Parker n 5, Logan Wheeler n 4, Jay Baughan – 2