With only eight of the team’s 12 players present because of illness and injuries, the Mathews High School varsity girls’ basketball team lost a 58-29 contest to the visiting Tabb Tigers on Saturday night. On Tuesday, the Mathews girls returned to their home court, defeating the Washington and Lee Eagles, 45-12.

In Saturday’s contest against the Tigers, Mathews was unable to take on the fast-paced attack of the AA team, falling behind, 30-15, at halftime, a deficit impossible to make up. Leading Mathews in points was Mackenzie Moughon with nine. Taylor South and Taylor Denton each had six points while Shelby Ware and Jessi Nelson added five and three points, respectively.

The Lady Devils jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead and a 28-2 margin at the half Tuesday on the way to a lopsided victory. The Mathews guards consistently fed passes to their cutting teammates while Mathews low post players dominated in the rebounding category.

Nelson led Mathew...