The James River boys traveled to Roanoke County on Monday night to take on the Warriors of Faith Christian School and picked up their first win of the basketball season, 45-30.
River led for the entire game, pulling out to a 22-13 lead at the half and outscoring Faith 10-2 in the third quarter. Ryder Ward led the Knights with 24 points against the Warriors. Faith is coached by former Liberty University center Brendan Newton, who led the team to the NACA National Division IV championship as a student at Faith Christian in 2016.
The Knights are 1-3 after Monday’s win, having dropped their first three games of the season last week. They opened at home against Parry McCluer and fell 53-28. Kody Park and Mark Voight had seven points each to lead River.
Last Thursday the boys hosted Riverheads and lost 56-40. Maddox Pichay had 11 points and four rebounds.
A night later the Knights went on the road for the first time and fell to Bath County, 55-46. Ward had 16 points, Park had 11 and Pichay had nine points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Photos by Brian Hoffman
“A lot has transpired in the last week,” said coach Ethan Humphries. “With the season moving so fast we are trying to focus on the day that’s in front of us and be where our feet are. We’re extremely grateful for our health throughout this stretch of nine games in 18 days. We’re thankful for all the lessons we’re learning and the opportunity we’re being presented.”
River is back home this Friday for a return match with Bath County, then the Knights travel to Daleville next Tuesday for a game with county rival Lord Botetourt.
