James River will play host to Radford in a big Three Rivers District basketball game on Thursday. It will be “Senior Night” and the last home game of the season for James River.
The Knights are 4-15 overall and 1-8 in the Three Rivers District but hoping to make some noise as the season winds down. River lost three district games last week, falling to Floyd, Alleghany and Carroll County.
“We knew it would be a challenging week,” said coach Ethan Humphries. “They are the three best teams on our schedule and to play them within a span of five days, with two on the road while being short-handed, is tough stuff for any team. We aren’t on their level but I think our guys are seeing the gaps we have to make up. We’ll play a hot Radford team on Thursday’s Senior Night, so we have a few days to prepare and get everyone back healthy.”
Last Wednesday at home the Knights lost to Alleghany, 55-36. Trey Taylor had nine points and seven rebounds and Maddox Pichay had nine points and five boards.
On Friday in Hillsville host Carroll County downed River, 70-33, as the Cavaliers improved to 16-1 on the season. Taylor led River with nine points.
“After the first five minutes, they dismantled us for the next 27,” said Humphries. “Once they stretched the lead to three possessions we went off script and it went down hill quickly. They are a real solid team with a great identity.”
River will wrap up the regular season with two Three Rivers road games next week. They’re at Patrick County on Monday and at Glenvar on Friday, February 9.
