by Jonathan Harkey
DigitalSports Student Correspondent

It’s always a fierce rivalry between the South River and Southern High Schools, but the school’s basketball teams came together for another reason other than competition on Friday.

Both teams, coaches, parents, and communities participated in a two-week long fund raiser to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research, honoring a South River parent who passed away last fall from complications from breast cancer, and a Southern teacher, who passed away from similar complications. Over $1,000 was raised for breast cancer research, South River athletic director Dave Klingel said.

In a action-packed boys basketball game, the Seahawks edged the Bulldogs, 52-48, and added another chapter in their 30-year rivalry that will not be soon forgotten.

Throughout the season, South River (5-11 overall 3-7 in the Anne Arundel County) has had trouble finishing games, including an early-season loss in December to the Bulldogs, where they were outscored 29-13 in the fourth quarter in a 71-52 Southern win. But after letting too many games slip away, the Seahawks took a stand against their rivals in Edgewater.

"We’re getting better as a team, which was our goal at the beginning of the season," South River coach Tim Poole said. "They played with poise. It was a defensive effort all night long. We played with passion and emotion and it’s an enjoyable experience when the kids do what you ask them to."

Defense was the highlight for South River, as it was able to hold an explosive Southern offense to 37 percent shooting overall, and 27 percent in the first half. The defense was led by the inside stinginess and physicality of seniors Nick Levendusky, Alvin Carr, and David Balinsky.

"Balinsky, Nick (Levendusky) and Alvin (Carr) did a great job defensively and deserve to be commended for it," Poole said.

Balinsky had eight rebounds while Carr added five boards. All three players recorded a block.

South River began the game with smart play and the strong defense, leading to a 14-4 run through the middle of the second quarter and a 28-20 lead at the half. But the Bulldogs (8-7, 5-6) answered with significant scoring runs in order to keep themselves in a position to win, including cutting a 48-41 Seahawk lead to 50-48 advantage with just under a minute remaining.

Southern junior guard Brandon Belt (24 points) attempted a 3-pointer but it bounced off the iron and the Seahawks hauled in the rebound with 3.1 seconds remaining.

South River was without the 16 points per game of senior guard Chris Dunn, who was in foul trouble throughout the game. Dunn only managed two points, but his younger brother, sophomore Kyle Dunn, stepped up big for South River, nailing an NBA-distance 3-pointer in the third quarter. He also converted the game-clinching foul shots with 3.1 seconds remaining.

"We like to keep games in the 50’s, because when games have higher scores we know we’re not playing defense," Poole said. "But when we defend like we did tonight we can make up for those 16 points per game."

Kyle Dunn finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Leading for the Bulldogs was Belt, who added five rebounds, two steals, and one block to his team-high 24 points. Senior center Andrew Bishop, notched 10 points, nine rebounds and two blocks for Southern.

Sophomore guard Derek Sewer chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and two steals for the Seahawks.

South River plays Chesapeake at home on Tuesday while Southern hosts Old Mill.

Southern (8-7)           8     12    16    12    -    48           
South River (5-11)    12    16    13    11    -    52  

SO: Belt 8(2) 6/8-24, Gibbons 1 0/2-2, Reed 1(1) 2/2-5, Bishop 4 2/5-10, Jenkins 2 1/3-5, Cronin 1-2. Totals 17(3) 11/20-48.
SR: Williams 1 0/1-2, Balinsky 1-2, Kovalick 2 0/2-4, C. Dunn 1-2, K. Dunn 4(1) 3/4-12, Carr 5(1)-11, Sewer 5 2/5-12. Totals 20(3) 9/18-52.
Half: South River, 28-20.