In the final games before the Christmas break, the Mathews High School varsity boys’ basketball team dropped a pair of games against Northern Neck District opponents.
The Blue Devils knew last Thursday’s contest against Lancaster was going to be a tough game. Due to injuries, some of the Mathews starters were not able to play, and the Red Devils easily defeated the visiting Blue Devils, 71-34.
MHS scorers were Deon Blake with seven points, Detray Washington and Xavien Boone with six points apiece, Dayshon Williamson and Taiwan Forrest with four points, Ryan Hummel with three points, and Joey Gordon and Paul Burnette with two points each.
The tough schedule continued the following night as Mathews faced Northumberland for the second time this season. In spite of some strong play by the Devils, the visiting Indians came out on top, 70-57.
Leading scorer for MHS was Deondre Foster with 18 points. Cody Kelly (11 points) and Williamson and Blake (10 points each) also ended the night in double digits. Burnette added four points and Kevin Pope and Washington contributed two points each.
Next Wednesday and Thursday, Mathews will be competing in the Christmas Tournament at Bruton High School.
Jayvee Devils
The jayvee boys didn’t have much better luck against Lancaster and Northumberland. In last Thursday’s game against Lancaster, the MHS guards finally stepped up and scored points that the team had been lacking in the previous games. However, the post players had a hard time rebounding and matching up against the physical Red Devils, as Mathews fell, 56-34.
Scoring for Mathews were Owen Cullison (11 points) Logan Bell (five points), Justin Jenkins and William Scott Smith (four points each), Nick Brown and Reggie Johnson (three points each) and Zachary Jarosz and Chris Perrault (two points apiece).
Speed proved the difference in Friday night’s game, as the Indians were just a little quicker, beating Mathews, 36-28. MHS head coach C.K. Ambrose was still pleased with his team’s performance. "Every player that took the court gave it their all and wanted to win the game," he said.
Johnson and Smith each had eight points, while Brown added six points. Also contributing were Bell with three points and Jenkins with two. Jarosz finished out the scoring with one point.