Roosevelt’s boys basketball team advanced to the playoffs this year after making history going 16-0 in-season, making them the first in school history to go undefeated in PIL. They were awarded PIL Champions and ranked 10th in the state. This did not come as a surprise to many after their PIL Championship and domination in the playoffs last year eventually ending in them taking home the win as second in state.
Their first-round playoff game was against North Medford (ranked 23rd in state) at Roosevelt on Wednesday, March 5th. The house was packed with the cheer team and band in attendance. They battled it out for the first two quarters. In the first, Roosevelt scored within the first minute with 2 points from Syrius Owen. North Medford scoring with 25 seconds left in the quarter ended it 15-18. It was a tight game with North Medford keeping their stamina going. Ultimately, Roosevelt bounced back in the second quarter and the score was 38-30 at the half.
In the second half, the Riders dominated scoring 20 points in the third quarter, gaining a lead on North Medford. They finished off the game with a 74-55 win, securing a spot in round two of the playoffs. The team’s skill and defensive work was on full display. Adrian “fuzzy” Montague, named PIL first team this year, scored 23 points total and Syrius Owen’s named PIL first team scored 22, making significant gains towards their win.
Roosevelt headed to round two of playoffs against Westview High School on Saturday, March 8th. Despite being an away game, the stands were packed with Roosevelt supporters. Westview, ranked 7th in state, consistently pushed themselves in all four quarters making runs and defensive plays. Roosevelt was faced with this challenge and put up a fight. It was a close first half and was fast paced, each team consistently making plays and points on the scoreboard. At half, the score was 44-32 Westview in the lead.
In the second half of the game, Roosevelt pushed to bounce back from being down. Rebounds were a struggle and Westview took any opportunity at a loose ball as a chance to score. Westview continued to make well-executed plays and Roosevelt began losing steam in the fourth quarter. The game ended with a 83-71 loss for Roosevelt and their season and playoff run came to an end. Head coach Jamarr Lawson says, “I was especially proud of their fight and composure under pressure. Every possession mattered, and they competed with heart until the final buzzer. Even in the toughest moments, they showed grit, hustle, and a never-quit attitude. It’s easy to play when things are going well, but true character is revealed in the toughest games, and they proved they were willing to battle no matter the odds.”
Despite this loss, it was still a large accomplishment for Roosevelt to make it to the second round in the playoffs, having a rocky start and taking home only two wins in the preseason. It is undeniable that their communication and relationship as a team has played a large role in their success as well as their practice routines aiming to improve every aspect of their skills and setting them up for success. It is hard to go without saying that head coach Jamarr Lawson has had a phenomenal impact on the team these past two years. His dedication to each player and the true north basketball community has made a long-lasting impact. The team’s success is a reflection of his leadership and positivity.
Our Roosevelt community is immensely proud of this team for their efforts, achievements, and hard work this season. Their contributions to the community on and off the field do not go unnoticed. Congratulations to seniors Owen Nathan, Matthew Beatty, Jasmere Davis Jr., and Omar Eno, and thank you to head coach Jamarr Lawson and assistant coaches Ben Teese, Ben Grass, Damian Knowlin, and Vernon Onick. We’re excited to see what next year has in store.
