The James River boys basketball team will play three games this week before taking a break for Christmas. The Knights come into the week at 3-3 on the young season.
“We have another three-game week with all of them on the road,” said Knights coach Ethan Humphries. “We are super grateful and fortunate for the health of our team as we’ll need all bodies aboard winding down this crazy stretch of the season. By week’s end we will have a great understanding of the type of team we need to be as we enter district play in January.”
River opened this week’s schedule with an intra-county game against Lord Botetourt in Daleville Tuesday, with results too late for press deadlines. The Knights are at Craig County on Thursday and at Riverheads Friday. Then they’re off until January 3 when they host Faith Christian.
River split two games with Pioneer District teams last week. On December 10 they dropped a 62-46 game to Parry McCluer in Buena Vista. Ryder Ward had 15 points and Kody Park had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
“While the result wasn’t what we hoped for, we saw some improvements,” said Humphries. “They hit some tough contested and uncharacteristic shots and that’s ultimately what gave them the edge.”
On Friday in Springwood, Ward scored a career high 33 points in a 66-46 win over visiting Bath County. Jack Beheler had eight points and nine rebounds and Ben Lawson had nine boards and seven assists.
“Bath was our most complete game yet,” said Humphries. “Our guys won every quarter, won the glass, and executed at our best level so far.”
Photos by Leigh Downey
