MADISON — Erick Dampier was a one-man show for MRA.
The sophomore standout poured in a game-high 36 points as Madison-Ridgeland Academy got past Heritage Academy 78-62 in an all-Patriot matchup and a key MAIS non-division contest at Richard Duease Court on Friday night.
Both teams were also in action this weekend in the third-annual BA$$A Holiday Invitational at St. Andrew’s.
“We didn’t shoot very well in the first off from the three and not much better in the second half, but we were able to get the ball inside to Erick and create easy buckets,” said MRA head coach Richard Duease. “I thought Heritage played pretty well as the game went on and their best main guys heated up and kept them in the ball game.”
MRA never trailed.
It was a back-and-forth first quarter, but MRA ended the opening frame on a 11-2 run to take a 18-11 lead.
The second quarter is when MRA separated themselves as the Patriots began the quarter on a 15-2 run to stretch their lead out to 33-13.
Heritage then ended the half on a 11-4 run to cut the MRA lead to 37-24 at halftime.
But Dampier took control in the third quarter, scoring 14 points in the period to lead MRA take full control of the game as the Patriots held a 58-38 lead at the end of the quarter.
Dampier then scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to seal the win for MRA.
“Third quarter has always been a good quarter for us, coming out of half, and we did it again and I think we went up 21 points and the last three minutes we messed around and let them back in the game and then was able to stretch the lead again,” Duease said. “We’ve got to keep playing hard, play smart, and stay out of foul trouble (so) we have a shot in every game. Heritage has a great team, and Andrew has done a great job and they’re only going to get better.”
Chris Willis finished with 25 points to lead Heritage Academy, while Xzavier Webber added 16 points for the Patriots.
“The situation we’re in was great for us. Come out and be competitive, it’s our sixth game of the year, so we’re still figuring out some things,” said Heritage Academy coach Andrew Howell. “Shots aren’t really falling for us right now, but that will come. Dampier is so good and can only do so much, but we played well defensively for the most part.”
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