Impressive scoring performances by junior Mikea Lewis, sophomore Brandon Hill and senior Bryce Matthews were not enough for the Cavs in a 10-point defeat to the George Wythe Bulldogs. 

Before the game, senior cheerleaders and players alike were recognized for their last home contest of their high school careers. Senior teammates Grafton Allen and Matthews were recognized for their contributions to the team. Matthews will look to continue his volleyball career at Randolph-Macon college, and Allen will look to continue his dream of playing at a higher level.

Out of the gates, the Cavaliers quickly went down by four, but a couple of George Wythe turnovers led to the Green and Gold tying the game. Later in the first quarter, the Cavaliers had one of their best defensive possessions of the season, forcing the Bulldogs into a risky situation where they possessed the ball for over a minute before finding a clean shot that missed off the mark. Unfortunately, an offensive rebound led to an easy two for Wythe. With the game being mostly back and forth for the first quarter, Hill electrified the crowd with a tough and-one, which he soon converted. Falling hard to the deck, Hill stayed down for a few seconds before being helped up to his feet, much to the delight of the Clover Hill supporters.

The Bulldogs were able to take a two point lead at the end of the first quarter. The game was very physical, evident by the hard foul on Hill in the first, with the teams totaling seven fouls in the opening quarter. For the most part of the following quarter, Wythe’s lead stagnated at five to seven points. Even with George Wythe shooting lights out from three in the quarter, the Cavs were able to keep the lead within seven going into the half. 

Influential in the scoring game for the Cavaliers in the first half were Hill, Lewis and Cavalier Chronicle Player of the Game Matthews, who contributed eight, seven and six points respectively. 

Matthews scored early and often, totaling 18 points on 50% shooting. He was also instrumental on the boards, pulling down 11 rebounds in the contest. He additionally got up and blocked two shots on defense for the Cavs.

Coming out of halftime, it seemed as if both teams changed their gameplans, as the third quarter was played with a much faster pace. After going down by 10 points early in the quarter, the Cavs were able to cut it back to five. Another and-one conversion would come in the third by Lewis, who trimmed the lead down to four after the free throw. However, a four point deficit would be all that the Cavaliers could muster, as they were down 49-45 going into the fourth and final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, George Wythe came out shooting red hot en route to taking a nine point lead early in the frame. The Bulldogs were then able to stretch the lead to 11 before the Cavs cut it back to seven. However, that would be the closest that the Cavalier team would come to the Bulldogs as the scoreboard read 72-62 when the final buzzer rang. 

While the regular season came to a close for the Cavs with a record of 3-16, much improvement was shown over the course of the season. The Green and Gold will now set their sights on the playoffs, which is still yet to be determined.