By Adolphus Ames –
The Broadwater Vikings varsity boys basketball team hosted their first home game of the season earlier this week. They face the Nandua Warriors Monday, Dec. 6, in front of a packed crowd. Both teams were coming off close losses. The Vikings won 74-66.
The Vikings jumped out to an early 17-11 lead. At the beginning of the second quarter Jeremiah Riley intercepted Brayden Washington’s inbound pass to briefly swing momentum back into the Warriors’ favor. However, the Vikings refused to give up their lead and entered halftime on top 37-25.
Ny’Zir Dix and Riley continued to keep the team within striking distance throughout the rest of the game. They outscored the Vikings 41-37 in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to steal the victory. The Vikings rallied behind Willie Holden’s hot hand and Brayden Justice, who was unstoppable in the paint all night, to maintain their lead and win the matchup.
Holden led the Vikings offense with 24 points, 3 rebounds, and one steal. Justice had 17 points, six rebounds, and one assist. Levin Smith had 17 points, four rebounds, and one steal. Washington had 6 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Malik Battle had five points, one rebound, and two steals. Kolby Evans had 3 points. Colvin Willis had two points.
Warriors’ head coach Trelle Warner saw several positives during the game. “I loved our energy and effort in the fourth quarter,” he said. “If we had played the first three quarters the same way I believe the outcome could have been different. As a team we have to become more disciplined on both ends of the court. It was a great test and learning experience early in the season.”
Dix led the Warriors’ offense with 24 points, six rebounds, and one assist. Riley had 19 points, four rebounds, six assists, and one steal. Kajoure Pettit had 11 points and one assist. Brandon Giddens had 3 points and six rebounds. Diesel Frisch had 3 points and five rebounds.
The Vikings will participate in the Nandsemond-Suffolk Academy Holiday Classic Tournament this weekend. They will face Nansemond-Suffolk on Dec. 10 at 8:30 p.m and Hampton Roads Academy at 1:30 p.m. the following day. The Vikings next home game is Dec. 16 against Worcester Prep School at 5:30 p.m.
The Warriors next game is Monday, Dec. 13, at Veritas Collegiate Academy. Their next home game is Saturday, Dec. 18. They will host Northumberland High School at 4:30 p.m.
