The Lord Botetourt boys saw their abbreviated basketball season come to an end last week in the Region 3D semifinal. The Cavaliers lost an 80-74 decision to the Vikings at the Northside gym on Thursday.
Botetourt jumped on top early in this game, leading after the first quarter and by five points at the half, 40-35. The Cavaliers held on to a 52-48 lead heading into the fourth quarter but the heralded Viking full-course press started to take its toll as the home team rallied.
“We did some things really well against a perennially strong Northside team,” said LB coach Andrew Hart. “They played hard and physical and we were proud of our team’s ability to handle that for a majority of the game. Unfortunately, we missed a couple of make-able shots and had a few turnovers that changed the momentum of the game in the fourth quarter. That is just the tough part of sports. If one extra play goes in our favor, we end up winning the game.”
Botetourt trailed 66-63 with 10.1 seconds left in regulation, but the Cavs were able to free up sharpshooter Conner Tilley for an open look in the corner and he drained it as the horn sounded, pushing the game into overtime. However, the Vikings were able to outscore LB in the extra period, 14-8, to remain undefeated at 10-0 and advance regional final.
Tilley led Botetourt with 26 points, hitting seven of 10 three-point attempts. He also led the Cavaliers in rebounding with seven. Tyler Meade had 14 points, Kyle Arnholt had a dozen to go with six assists and six rebounds and freshman Jackson Crawford had nine points.
“We couldn’t be more proud of our team as a whole this season,” said Hart. “They are a wonderful group to coach. They battled through major adversity and uncertainty with COVID, but showed up every day willing to work hard regardless.
“A short season wasn’t fair for anyone, but our guys really made the most of it. A 10-4 record doesn’t look all that special, but we challenged ourselves with some tough competition and we know we had one of the best teams in the state this year. Our underclassmen are eager to get back out and prove that again next year.”
