The Mathews High School boys’ varsity basketball team is on a roll, with home victories over Charles City, Colonial Beach and King William. Tuesday night’s win over the Cavaliers also saw senior Tre Greene eclipse the 1,000-point career scoring mark as a Blue Devil.
Charles City
The MHS varsity team had little trouble with the Charles City Panthers last Thursday, controlling the game from the opening tipoff on the way to a 71-27 blowout victory.
Mathews played strong defense led by Greene with five steals as they took advantage of the Panthers’ poor ball handling. Mathews controlled the first quarter as they led Charles City, 19-8. The second quarter was a defensive showcase for the Blue Devils. Charles City was unable to score the ball as Mathews held them to only three points in the quarter. Justin Jones helped Mathews extend the lead with 11 points as Mathews entered the half up, 38-11. The Blue Devils would not let off the gas throughout the game as Jordyn Cosby grabbed 17 rebounds and scored 23 points on the night. Alongside Cosby, Greene scored 20 points and 11 rebounds to seal the win.
JV Devils
Before the varsity contest, the JV Blue Devils defeated the Panthers, 25-14, in the first game of Thursday night’s tripleheader. Mathews controlled the game from the start as superior shooting led them to victory. Mathews led at halftime, 10-7. Michael Wiatt led the Blue Devils with 11 points, followed by Finn McKinster with four.
Colonial Beach
The MHS varsity boys came back in overtime on Friday to beat the Charles City Drifters, 59-57. Exceptionally strong Drifters’ zone defense prevented Cosby from controlling the paint during the entire first half of the game. Mathews was forced to work from the outside, allowing the Drifters to jump out to a lead. Blake Hunley tried his best to help with his seven points, but the visiting Drifters led, 28-23, at halftime. Colonial Beach continued to maintain its lead as Mathews struggled to find a hole in their defense. Greene led Mathews with 27 points, all hard earned as he sank heavily contested mid-range shots throughout the game. After trailing all game, Mathews found a spark as the Drifters found foul trouble, leading to Greene tying the game, 55-55, to end regulation. Cosby would lead the team in rebounds alongside his 21-point night. Mathews found the basket in overtime as John Stephen Shaw hit a 3-pointer to put MHS ahead, before making a free throw to extend the lead to four. Colonial Beach attempted to comeback, but fell short at the buzzer.
JV Devils
The JV Devils won, 32-28, against the visiting Drifters. The first quarter was low scoring as neither team took strong control of the game. The second quarter was rough for the young Devils as they were outscored, 11-6. Wiatt was a bright spot for the Blue Devils, scoring seven points in the first half to contribute to his 15-point night. Mathews would enter halftime trailing, 14-10. The second half was a turnaround for Mathews as McKinster came to life, scoring 11 points in the final half. Mathews would still trail by five entering the fourth. The fourth quarter was dominated by the Blue Devils, as McKinster scored nine of his 11 points in the final quarter of play, leading Mathews to comeback and defeat against the Drifters.
King William
The Varsity Blue Devils defeated King William, 64-47, as Greene reached his 1,000-point milestone. Mathews started the game off hot with Colin Moore stealing the ball from the visiting Cavaliers consistently, leading to fast-break points for Mathews. Cosby held down the paint, preventing King William from possible second-chance points. Mathews controlled the first quarter, leading 19-7 after a strong defensive showing. King William shot the ball much better in the second, knocking down deep threes to close the lead to nine. Greene and Cosby each had five points in the second to help Mathews finish the first half up 35-24. Mathews played even harder in the second half, taking advantage of King William misses and pounding the ball inside with Cosby. Cosby ended the game with 19 points in his effort to help Mathews. Moore continued to cause turnovers and score as he finished the game with 14 points. The third quarter was all Mathews as the Blue Devils led, 47-32. The fourth quarter began as the crowd waited for Greene to reach his milestone. After sinking free throws, Greene only needed one more point. Midway through the final quarter, Greene made an easy layup, sealing his 1,000th career point and 19 on the evening.
JV Devils
The JV Devils suffered a tough 54-11 loss against the Cavaliers. Mathews was held scoreless in the first quarter as the Devils struggled to beat the hard press and create shots. The first half ended with King William up, 28-2 on Mathews. Wiatt led the team with six points as K’sean Hill led King William with 12. King William continued to press the ball, leading Mathews to fall to a 43-6 deficit in the third. The game would continue to fall into the hands of King William as Mathews was defeated.
Mathews travels to West Point on Friday in another Tidewater District showdown.
