Photos by Leigh Downey
The Martinsville Bulldogs are considered to be state contenders in boys’ basketball and on Monday night no one from Springwood would disagree. The Dogs improved to 14-3 overall and remained undefeated after nine Three Rivers District games with a 63-29 win over James River.
“Martinsville gave us a good reminder of what a state championship caliber team looks like,” said River coach Ethan Humphries. “Hats off to them. They should be playing in March.”
Ryder Ward and Riley Carlisle had eight points each to lead the Knights, who fell to 10-9 overall and 2-6 in the district. It was River’s first game since Feb. 3 when the boys lost a home game to Glenvar, 52-49. River led 25-15 at the half in that one and held a three-point lead, 37-34, after three quarters before the Highlanders turned up the pressure.
“It was another one possession district game for us,” said Humphries. “Of course it’s frustrating to come out on the losing end but as we always say, the margin is thin. As much as we dominated the game in the first half, Glenvar did so in the second half when they amped up the ball pressure and trapped every possession. When that happens and the turnovers flow it feels like you hand them the game. It’s something we must get better at in this last stretch.”
Ward had 16 points and eight rebounds against the Highlanders. Carlisle had 13 points and five assists and Maddox Pichay had 10 points and half a dozen boards.
River was scheduled to be back on the home court Tuesday against Floyd but results were too late for publication. A busy week continues with a game at Radford Thursday, then it’s back on the bus Friday for a trip to Stuart and a Three Rivers District game with Patrick County.
