It’s not always the team that can jump the highest that wins the basketball game. Lord Botetourt proved that Monday night when the Cavalier boys pulled somewhat of an upset over William Fleming in Roanoke, 58-51.
The high-jumping Colonels were home to host LB and sporting a 10-game winning streak after downing Patrick Henry on the Patriot’ home floor last week, 45-44. That gave the Colonels a 13-2 overall record and Fleming was unbeaten in Blue Ridge District games before falling to the Cavaliers on Monday night.
Botetourt set the tone early, holding Fleming to just two second quarter points while running to a 25-11 halftime lead. The Colonels came out fired up for the second half and cut the lead to 10, 37-27, with just seconds left in the third quarter. However, LB’s Jackson Crawford was fouled shooting a three-pointer with less than a second left in the period, and the Fleming bench was assessed a technical foul for arguing the call. Crawford calmly sank five straight free throws to give the Cavs a 42-37 lead after three.
Fleming was far from done, mounting a fourth quarter comeback that cut the lead to two inside a minute. However, two more Crawford free throws and a layup by Ashton Bramblett sealed the deal for the Cavaliers.
Crawford finished with 17 points to lead LB, while Bramblett had 14 and Conner Tilley had 11. Crawford and Tilly had two three-pointers each for the Cavaliers.
The win improved LB’s record to 12-5 overall and 4-2 in the Blue Ridge District, just a game behind Fleming and Northside, who are tied at the top of the district with one loss each. Fleming and LB will play again in Daleville next Thursday, Feb. 10.
“I was proud of our effort for three and a half quarters,” said LB coach Andrew Hart. “We controlled the game and did everything that we wanted to do on both ends. Northside came out of the second half and made a 14-4 run that was the difference.
“Any shot in the final few possessions could have bounced differently. It just wasn’t meant to be this time. We are eager for another opportunity in the district or region tournament to go against Northside.”
A night later the Cavs played host to Hidden Valley in a non-district game and took a 92-48 win against a struggling Titans team. Meade had 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. Crawford had 20 points, Bramblett had a baker’s dozen and Dylan Salvi had 11. Evan Bannwart had eight rebounds.
“Huge offensive effort by our guys,” said Hart. “We shot the ball tremendously well and bounced back after a tough game on the road the night before.”
The Cavaliers were scheduled to play at Franklin County on Tuesday night. On Friday they’re at Staunton River and on Saturday they play in the Adam Ward Classic at Glenvar High School, taking on Cave Spring at 6:45 p.m.