Riley LaRue did everything all of his teammates did at Cape Fear Community College last year except for one thing. LaRue never played in a game. Riley practiced with the basketball team. He dressed out for home games, but he never tallied a minute of action for the CFCC Sea Devils at the Schwartz Center. Unfortunately he’ll never get that chance. Riley LaRue died in a car accident on Saturday in Richmond, Virginia. Ryan Mantlo is the Cape Fear CC men’s basketball coach. “Riley was a tremendous young man.” Mantlo told WWAY on Monday. “He was the most brilliant kid that I’ve ever coached. He always wanted to be around his teammates and give a helping hand. He was part of our practice squad, but he never played in any games. He was always there and he always busted his tail. In the classroom he was a genius. We always had a long standing joke that maybe we’ll throw you in there(into a game), but he did not want to use that year up so we respected that.”
Riley LaRue is the oldest son of Rusty and Tammy LaRue. Rusty was a standout athlete at Wake Forest. He played baseball, basketball and football for the Demon Deacons. As a freshman in 1992 Rusty LaRue led Wake Forest to a bowl victory in the Independence Bowl. He broke eight NCAA records for passing during his college career at Wake Forest. Rusty LaRue went onto play several seasons of pro basketball, including a few years in the NBA. Rusty LaRue played for the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz.
Riley LaRue wasn’t enrolled at CFCC at the time of his death over the weekend in Virginia.
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WILMINGTON, NC (CFCC RELEASE) — Cape Fear Community College wrapped up a brief two-game home stand with a 2-0 sweep over St. Andrews on Monday night. Bailey Toman had six kills and six digs for the Sea Devils, who improved to 8-6 overall.
“I’m proud of our versatility through this middle of our season,” said CFCC Coach Emily Coleman. “It’s going to strengthen our team for tournament time.”
Toman leads the team with 96 kills this season, while freshman setter Faryn Salazar has contributed in the passing game with 229 assists. Kayla Mathias has contributed from the service line with 14 aces as Cape Fear remains unbeaten on their home court at 5-0.
The Sea Devils finish the month of September with two road matches beginning Saturday, September 24 at USC-Lancaster. Cape Fear is 4-2 in Region X play.
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