BOYS BASKETBALL
Evan Sperling scored a career-high 33 points in a decisive 79-50 win against Warhill on Thursday. To go along with his 33 points, Sperling also recorded a career-high 23 rebounds.
That’s not a bad showing for a kid who thinks of basketball as his stress reliever.
“Evan loves the game of basketball,” Grafton coach Jeremy Jordan said. “It’s a stress reliever for him. He’s able to come out here and be one of our team captains.”
Not to be overshadowed, Cle’Von Greene posted 22 points in a game that Jordan described as his worst all season.
“To be honest, that’s probably the worst game he’s had all season,” Jordan said. “To really say that and to still have 22 points … it’s hard as a coach to be too unhappy for him to put up the type of production that he did.”
Even after the 29-point victory, Jordan spoke about how his team needed to improve on their defensive rotations if they want to achieve their goals this season — goals that stretch beyond the limits of Bay Rivers District action.
Da’Shawn Cook had a good night for Warhill, scoring 17 points in the loss by attacking the hoop in transition.
His brother, Ra’Shawn Cook, as well as Keron Dedmon, each added nine points for the Lions.
Grafton 79, Warhill 50
Grafton (7-0, 5-0 Bay Rivers District)
Murillo 11, Kiedinger 9, Greene 22, Moore 4, Sperling 33.
Warhill (3-6, 2-4)
D. Cook 17, R. Cook 9, Dedmon 9, Lipscomb 6, Stovall 1, Belle 3, Davis 2, Anzola 2.
Grafton: 24 18 12 25 — 79
Warhill: 11 15 13 11 — 50
3-point goals: Grafton 10 (Murillo 3, Kiedinger 3, Sperling 3, Moore), Warhill 3 (D. Cook 2, Dedmon)
Jamestown Hits Free Throws Down the Stretch to Hold Off York
Connor Swain hit eight of 10 free throw attempts, including some down the stretch, en route to a 19-point night that helped Jamestown hold off a late surge by York.
With about three minutes left to play, York cut the Jamestown lead to two points. The Eagles kept attacking the basket and drew some key fouls in the waning minutes of the game, leading to plenty of free points from the charity stripe.
Those repeated free throw attempts helped Jamestown pull away from York and win 72-62.
Jamestown’s offense came from multiple sources as Swain, Mason Wang, Michael Schmidt and Kevin Greene all scored in double figures. Wang finished with 13 points, Schmidt had 13 and Greene added 11.
Joe Riddick of York led all scorers with 25 points by attacking and finishing effectively at the basket. Unfortunately for York, Eric Harp was unable to play due to a stomach illness. Harp’s absence was a big blow to the York offense that clearly missed his average 13 points per game.
Jaylen Riggsbee added 14 points for York.
Jamestown 72, York 62
Jamestown (2-3, 2-3 Bay Rivers District)
Lipscomb 6, Wang 13, Devine 8, Swain 19, Schmidt 13, Greene 11, McDevitt 2.
York (2-4, 2-4)
McFadden 2, Jackson 9, Riddick 25, Simmons 4, Riggsbee 14, Collins 3, Christian 5.
Jamestown: 18 14 18 22 — 72
York: 15 14 14 19 — 62
3-point goals — Jamestown 7 (Wang 2, Devine 2, Swain, Schmidt, Greene), York 2 (Jackson, Riggsbee)
Shaquan Edwards scored a team-high 17 points, including five in the crucial overtime period, to help the Panthers sneak past Tabb to win their fifth straight game 54-50.
With points hard to come by all night, Tabb (4-2, 3-2 Bay Rivers District) managed to outscore Bruton for the first time in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Daniel Jones finished with 14 important points for Bruton.
Bruton 54, Tabb 50
Williamsburg Christian Academy Drops Isle of Wight Academy
Xavier Green filled the stat sheet for Williamsurg Christian Academy (8-2) with 23 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and four steals.
Andre Brown, not to be outdone, added 21 points of his own, while Ryan Flanagan added 10.
WCA 66, Isle of Wight Academy 40
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Williamsburg Christian Academy Drubs Isle of Wight Academy
Imani Bryant led the way with 18 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks as the Williamsburg Christian Academy (7-0, 5-0) girls coasted to an easy 52-15 win over Isle of Wight Academy.
Nissa Chillers and Kaylee Boger each reached double-digit points, 14 and 13 points, respectively, to help pace Williamsburg Christian Academy.
Williamsburg Christian Academy 52, Isle of Wight Academy 15
