Pats’ Rickard shines despite loss to Hazel Green

MADISON – The Bob Jones Patriots couldn’t claw back against Hazel Green on Friday night at home as the Trojans rolled 61-48.

But that didn’t stop Bob Jones senior Kaden Rickard from trying his best to put the team on his back with a dazzling 19 points in the loss.

Rickard was a force on the court from the beginning for the Patriots who got swamped from Hazel Green’s lethal perimeter shooting and strong play at the top of the key.

The basketball rattled out more often than not for virtually everybody other than Rickard in white.

The Bob Jones senior would dribble the ball up top with a casual confidence that bordered on carelessness until he plunged toward the hoop.

Rickard in the paint is a flash of talent that causes people to stop talking and just watch the kid put on a show.

He twirls and he slashes around the Trojan defenders toward the rim like he is just playing a game the he invented.

By halftime, Rickard already had 13 points for Bob Jones who was trailing 26-17.

As the third quarter spiraled out of control for the Patriots, Rickard continued to score points and also frustrate the Hazel Green’s Austin Nance.

Nance and Rickard faced off for much of the third quarter and the Bob Jones senior shut down the point guard who scored with ease earlier in the game.

For a complete breakdown of this contest, be sure to pick up a print copy of The Madison Record on Wednesday, Nov. 27.