Local basketball season concludes

Published 10:45 am Friday, February 28, 2014

FRANKLIN—Six area teams drew state tournament bids and were in action on Tuesday night during the first round.

Four boys teams played: Franklin, Windsor, Southampton Academy and Tidewater Academy, and two girls teams, Southampton Academy and Isle of Wight Academy. They were all defeated in the first round.

The Franklin High School boys basketball team was in action against the Mathews Blue Devils, and they came up short 62-57.

Franklin Head Coach Danny Dillon could not be reached for comment.

The Windsor Dukes were up against the Prince Edward County Eagles, and were defeated 54-36.

Head Coach Brandon Bossick said that the Eagles were just too strong to overcome.

“Prince Edwards shot the ball extremely well – 67 percent from the 3-point line,” he said. “We outscored them in the second half, but their timely shooting in the first half gave them a lead that that we were unable to overtake.”

Malcolm Green had a double-double – 16 points and 10 rebounds. He also had two blocks.

The Dukes ended up third in their conference.

Both Southampton Academy teams were in action. The boys lost to Broadwater Academy 64-61 in overtime.

Broadwater Academy went in as a fifth seed, and Coach Jim Tribbett said it was a heck of a game.

“We started out a little sluggish,” said Tribbett. “About halfway through the first quarter, our guys decided we could play with them.

“We played very well throughout the rest of the game and in overtime, especially on defense.”

Tonee Hill led the team in scoring with 28, but Cam Hines wasn’t far behind with 22. Johnny Tribbett had 5 assists and 6 steals.

Tribbett said it is always an advantage when you can play at home.

“We never could quite get the lead,” he said. “We tied it several times. But I feel like if we could have gotten the lead, we would have held it.”

Tribbett said his team has won 27 games in two years, finishing this year 14-9.

“I am pleased,” he said. “Of those nine losses, three of them were to Amelia Academy, and they will have a strong opportunity to play for the state championship.

“As a veteran coach, you don’t mind losing to strong competition. That’s how you evaluate yourself, based on the quality teams you play.”

The Lady Raiders lost to Carlisle School 53-38. Carlisle was the sixth seed.

Morgan Pope led the team in scoring, with 13 points.

“They were just too much for us, in speed and height,” said head coach Chris Pope. “We had a pretty good season. Our only losses came to teams that were ranked eighth or higher in the state.”

The Lady Raiders finished 10-10.

“Overall, I was pleased with the season,” he said. “We beat the teams that we should have beaten.”

The Isle of Wight Academy girls were defeated by Norfolk Christian 53-35. Head Coach Chris Hooper said the game was close heading into the fourth.

“I think at one point during the third, we were down 31-29, but then we let it get away from us,” Hooper said. “We just went cold shooting in the fourth. We couldn’t make anything, and they were doing a good job converting.”

Gabriella Hooper led the team with 15 points.

The Lady Chargers ended the season 15-8.

“I thought we did well for the most part,” he said. “We struggled toward the end of the season with our shooting.

“But I thought we did well. We were tied for second in our conference. We’re making small progressions, and we have a good core returning.”

Hooper said he was proud of his seniors.

“Over the last two years, we have gone 31-16,” he said. “They have done a lot.”

Tidewater Academy faced Greenbrier Christian Academy, and lost 42-24. Greenbrier was the sixth seed.

Head Coach Walter Westbrook he was pleased with the season. They went 19-9.

“I saw a lot of positive things,” he said. “I was really impressed with how the kids handled the four months of basketball season.”

Elanté Drew led with 11 points.

Westbrook said he had a good core returning, though it was going to hurt to lose seniors Reid Holdsworth and Daniel McKenney.