The Lord Botetourt boys swept the intra-county series with James River when LB took a 60-40 win in Daleville Saturday night. The Cavaliers also won a meeting in Springwood the week before Christmas.

“I was very pleased with the way we defended James River,” said LB coach Chad Conner. “We did a good job getting back in transition and in the half court, getting over ball screens so their shooters did not have much room to get a quick shot off. Offensively we moved the ball well against their zone and were able to get quality shots.”

The game was close for a half. LB jumped off to a 15-9 lead after the first quarter but River controlled the tempo in the second period, outscoring LB 6-5 to trail by just five at the half, 20-15.

The Cavaliers took charge in the third period. A nice run put the Knights on their heels and LB outscored River 22-9 in third quarter to up the lead 18 points.

“They hit three in a row and the lead went from five to 12 and we just couldn’t overcome that,” said River coach Mike Goad.

Evan Eller led a balanced LB lineup with 14 points. Kyle Arnholdt had nine points and two Cavs had eight, Patrick Rakes and Tanner Selkirk. Walker Andrews led River with 15 points and River Clonch had 13.

The win was the third game of the week for LB, who lost the other two. Botetourt fell to Hidden Valley, 70-57, last Wednesday despite 17 points from Mason Wheeling, who was eight for 13 from the floor with nine rebounds. Foley had 14 points and James Ryan Salvi had 10.

On Friday at home the Cavaliers dropped a 60-52 decision to Staunton River.

“We played really well in the first quarter and a half but let them hang around,” said Conner. “They were able to take a lead that we just could not get back. One of our strengths is crashing the offensive boards but we only had three for the game. We did not take advantage of quite a few opportunities that we had late in the game.”

Eller led LB with 17 points and Arnholdt had 13.

James River played host to Carroll County last week and lost, 72-62, despite 19 points from freshman Patrick Clevenger. Josh Bonds had 11 points and Will Miller had 10 as the Cavaliers concentrated on high-scoring Andrews, who was held to just eight points.

“It was a pretty even game, but the fourth quarter hurt us,” said Goad. “In every game the other team makes a run at some point and we don’t react well. We need to be able to regroup.”

The Knights come into the week at 4-10. They were scheduled to play Glenvar on Tuesday and Thursday Giles is here for Breast Cancer Awareness night. It will also be “Senior Night.”

LB is 5-10 after downing James River and the Cavaliers were scheduled to host Liberty Christian Academy on Tuesday. Undefeated Northside is here Friday for a Blue Ridge District game.