COURTLAND–Still perched atop the state rankings, Tidewater Academy held rival Southampton Academy to just six points in the two middle periods en route to a 62-38 victory in a Virginia Commonwealth Conference boys’ basketball game Monday night.

Tidewater is now 20-1 overall, 12-0 in the VCC and is the top-ranked team in the Virginia Independent Schools Division III poll. With just one loss on the season, the Warriors have the best record in the state among private schools at any level.

Tidewater jumped out to a 13-3 lead Monday on three-pointers by Park Parker, Casey Rickmond and Austin Westbrook; a put-back by Parker; and a drive by Tommie Starkes. Then the Raiders (6-12, 5-7) went on an 11-1 run to close out the first quarter. Wade Martin sank two straight three-point bombs, Joseph Gansor took advantage of a three-point play, Martin came back with a free throw, and Rashadd Maxey finished off the period with a strong drive to tie the game at 14-14.

Then the bottom fell out for the Raiders. SA scored just two points in the second quarter on a drive by Maxey. Tidewater poured in 13 points, and when Starkes drove at the buzzer, the Warriors were up 27-16 at the half.

The third quarter was no different. The Raiders were outscored 16-4, and Tidewater stretched the lead to 43-20.

Walter Westbrook, TA head coach, said he and his team had a serious conversation after the first quarter. After the first quarter, the Warriors made the Raiders work for every shot during the middle of the game.

“We were up 13-3 and they had four threes because we didn’t get to the shooters,” he said. “When it was 13-3, we were running our offense and sharing the ball. We got outscored 11-1 at the end of the quarter not sharing the ball.”

Westbrook said he also made a defensive adjustment by moving Rickmond to guard the SA point guard.

“Casey is a little more aggressive and physical. Austin (Westbrook) is all over the place getting deflections and causing problems. I though that was a big key in the second and third quarter.”

Hudson Bryant, Southampton Academy head coach praised Tidewater’s defense in the middle quarters.

“I thought we could keep it closer than it was. We just went in a drought the second and third quarters. Offensively, talent-wise they are probably 20 points better than us. We can’t do that against Tidewater because they are going to score. That 1-3-1 they run, they fly around and they know where they need to be,” Bryant said.

Westbrook said the Raiders have improved since the teams first met in December.

“He’s got everybody back healthy. They have been the most improved team in the conference the last four weeks,” Westbrook said. “They are a dangerous team right now. I don’t know if anyone would want to see them in the VCC tournament right now.”

For TA, Starkes scored 18 points, Rickmond added 11s, Mike Greene scored 10 off the bench, and Will Doyle added 9. For SA, Maxey scored 12 points and Martin added 9.

Tidewater plays at Richmond Christian Friday. The Raiders play at Isle of Wight Academy in a non-conference game tonight and then travel to a Brunswick Academy on Friday.