The Mathews High School junior varsity boys’ basketball team put up a good fight on Friday night, but in the end fell to the Middlesex Chargers, 51-47.

Having lost by a margin of only six points in its first matchup, Mathews hoped to even the score in the Saluda gym. After an even first quarter, the Chargers built a five-point halftime lead.

The Devils got hot in the third quarter, with Tyrese Brooks making three three-pointers in a row. Going into the fourth quarter up by two, Mathews went cold, and Middlesex went on a run of its own. Down by eight points with three minutes left, the Devils put the pressure on. Having forced some turnovers and made some key foul shots, they were within four points with 10 seconds left. An offensive foul against Middlesex during the inbound put Will Hutcheson on the line. He missed the first shot, and the clock ran out. 

The Blue Devils’ high scorer for the night was Christian Williams, who had 14 points. Other notable scorers were ...