South Carroll Falls to Easton in State Semi-Finals, McTavish Becomes Carroll County All-Time Scorer

The South Carroll boys basketball season came to end Friday night at the hands and feet of Easton, 69-52.

The Cavaliers were in the final four in the state tournament for the second time in three years and came up on the short end again. South Carroll ended the season at 24-1. Easton now 24-3, will play Digital Harbor Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland.

"They made us play their style, up tempo and were pressuring us full court. We weren’t really used to that playing up in Carroll County, kind of a different style game and they just came in a full court press and we weren’t used to it and turned the ball over a little bit," said Ryan McTavish.

A highlight for South Carroll was senior Ryan McTavish who became Carroll County’s all time leading scorer. He led the Cavaliers with 26 points to finish his career with 1,506 points. He passed Westminster’s Herman Costley with 32 seconds left in the first half on a three-pointer.

Looking back on his career Ryan McTavish said, "It was a tough road. It was fun. I enjoyed it. Four years with coach Goff, two years with my brother, three years with Dan, the whole team. We did something really special, maybe they can continue it on."

Cavalier coach Doug Goff said about Ryan, "I was just blessed to be able to coach a guy like that, that comes in and puts that much work in and gathers the troops and fights for you every minute and has the talent he has. I look forward to watching his career as he goes on to Presbyterian. Not every coach gets to coach a guy that goes to D-1 like that. I am proud of him and wish him the best of luck and hope he realizes how much he has done for the program.’’

South Carroll had their problems getting the ball to go in the basket Friday night. They only hit 16 of 61 shots from the field. Beyond the arc they hit six of 25 three-point shots.

The Cavaliers were out rebounded 44 to 34.

South Carroll started out like it was going to be their night as they jumped out to a 13-5 lead. Guard Dan Mullen picked up his third foul and had to head to the bench. The Warriors came back to only be down 13-10 at the end of the first period.

"We missed a couple shots that we forced a little bit in my opinion, took a little quick ones we got a little rhythm and I think we tried to keep that and tried to see if we kept that hot hand going and didn’t stay hot and they made a run and got a little transition out of it and turned the tide on us early," said Doug Goff.

With 1:46 left in the first half Easton took the lead and never looked back. The three quarter saw the Warriors out score South Carroll 15-5 and the rout was on.

"We expected the type of game that was played. Both teams played real good defense, real physical, so I was proud we were on the winning end of it," said Easton coach Marty Bailey.

"Coach told me before the fourth quarter started to take over the game. I tried to do what ever I could to help the team out and we made a run, but just came up short," said Ryan McTavish.

Gavin McTavish backed up his brother with 12 points, while teammate Eric Hunsberger had seven followed by Jeff Martin, five; Ethan McBryde, three and Jeff Martin and Ryan MacIvor had two each.

Jah’sheme Ringgold topped Easton with 19 points. Andre Gibson had 16 points and Capree Greene had 10 to also score in double figures.

The Cavaliers will take the court later today in the traditional practice after the season which will be run by Gavin McTavish and Mullen.