THE PLAINS, Ohio —The River Valley boys basketball team went 11-of-15 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter of Tuesday night’s Division III sectional tournament game at Athens High School against Crooksville to hold on for the 54-46 victory.

The Raiders (5-16) came out of the gates hot on offense and defense leading 10-2 after the first 5:30 of regulation. RVHS outscored the Ceramics (4-17) by one, over the final 2:30 and took the 18-9 lead into the second period.

The Raiders defense was strong again to start the second period, holding CHS without a second quarter point until the 4:20 mark. RVHS outscored Crooksville 11-7 in the second period to take the 29-16 lead into the break.

The Ceramics started the second half with 9-2 run that lasted 4:43. Over the final 3:17 RVHS went on an 8-2 run to take the 39-27 lead into the finale.

Even though Crooksville held River Valley to just two field goals in the final eight minutes the Raiders went 11-of 15 from the line and sealed off the 54-46 victory.

River Valley was led by Derek Flint with 18 points, followed by Aaron Harrison with 10, and Ethan Dovenbarger with nine. Trey Noble and Austin Lewis each had six points, while Chris Clemente had three, and Joseph Loyd finished with two points to round out the RVHS scoring.

Crooksville was led by Lake Channel and Dakota Jones with 13 points apiece followed by Mitchell Swingle with 12.

RVHS returns to action Friday night at 6 p.m. in the sectional final against Nelsonville York at Athens High School. Both teams lost in sectional finals last season.

River Valley 54, Crooksville 46

RV 18-11-10-15 — 54

C 9-7-11-19 — 46

RIVER VALLEY (5-16): Austin Whobrey 0 0-0 0, Derek Flint 5 5-6 18, Kyle Bays 0 0-0 0, Chris Clemente 1 0-0 3, Trey Noble 1 4-4 6, Aaron Harrison 3 4-7 9, Joseph Loyd 1 0-0 2, Austin Lewis 3 0-0 6, Ethan Dovenbarger 4 1-2 9. TOTALS: 18 14-19 54. Three-point goals: 4 (Flint 3, Clemente). Rebounds: 27. Field goals 18-39 (.462). Turnovers: 16.

COOKSVILLE (4-17): Austin Wilson 0 0-0 0, Zach Keylor 0 0-0 0, Austin Ebert 0 0-0 0, Lake Channel 5 2-2 13, Alec Swingle 1 0-0 2, Carder Payton 2 2-3 6, Dakota Jones 5 3-5 13, Davante Morris 0 0-0 0, Mitchell Swingle 5 2-4 12, Jaylen Murphy 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 18 9-14 46. Three-point goals: 1 (Channel). Rebounds: 29. Field goals: 18-44 (.409). Turnovers: 21.