Last night, the Cavaliers’ boys basketball team took on the Atlee Raiders in an interdistrict matchup. The Raiders came into the game possessing a 9-6 record in Central Virginia’s Capital District, while the Green and Gold came in with a 3-10 record, looking to end a losing streak, in the Dominion District. Courtesy of great shooting by Cavalier Chronicle Player of the Game Mikea Lewis, fantastic passing by sophomore Brandon Hill and impressive work on the boards by sophomore Ian Watts, the Cavs took home a 62-56 victory over the Raiders. 

Having started the game slowly, the Cavaliers looked as if they got stronger as the game went on, outscoring their first half mark by 14 points in the second half. The Cavs were able to put up some of their best numbers of the season, shooting 44% from the field, with a 40% clip from behind the three point arc. Shooting from behind the three point line came thanks to junior Lewis, who knocked down four threes, sophomore Jayden Moss, who hit three shots and sophomore Brandon Hill, who drained two from long range. 

Lewis, who made four threes in the contest, scored 21 points total, while also dishing out five assists and pulling down six rebounds. His hot shooting started early, as he quickly knocked down a couple of threes to start the game. 

While Lewis shot at a very high mark in the first quarter, defense was the main story of the eight minute period. The Cavs took a 14-10 lead into the second quarter. A mix of poor shooting and great Cavalier defensive play, coming courtesy of Watts and senior Bryce Matthews, who contributed a block in the quarter, overcame the Atlee offense, who seemed overwhelmed by the stout Cavalier defense. 

As the Cavaliers started the second quarter, it was clear that head coach Scott Mccandlish had instilled a new game plan into the team before the game. The Cavs played with a very slow tempo, while also knocking down difficult shots. Forcing an Atlee timeout with about three minutes left in the half, the Green and Gold looked to be in great shape for the rest of the game. However, an 8-0 run by the Raiders at the end of the half closed the Cavalier lead to four. 

Within the first minute of the second half, Atlee had tied the game. Nevertheless, great three point shooting sent the Cavs on a 6-0 run, forcing another Atlee timeout and giving the Cavaliers another lead. Partly thanks to an and-one by Hill, the Cavs went on another run to close out the third quarter with a seven point cushion.

After some more strong Cavalier defense fueled by a steal and fastbreak score by Moss, Atlee was unable to mount a comeback. The Cavaliers again stretched the lead to nine points with 28 seconds left in the game before Atlee hit a three to bring the game within six. That would be all that Atlee would comeback as the match ended 62-56 in favor of the Cavs.

The Green and Gold will remain at home next time out, as they look to start a new winning streak after losing two games last week. The Cavs will take on the Manchester Lancers (15-1) on Jan. 25 at 7:15 p.m.