Suffolk News-Herald

On the Lakeland court Tuesday night, the host Cavaliers dismantled visiting Western Branch 63-45. Off the court, the ramifications were slightly larger.

First, the win put Lakeland back on track after falling to Booker T. Washington in the finals of the Pepsi Christmas Classic last weekend at Lakeland. Second, the Cavaliers got a huge measure of revenge against the team that knocked them out of the Southeastern District tournament semifinals last season. Third, the victory helped the Suffolk squad remain the only unbeaten team in the district, at 6-0 (9-2 overall).

Finally, it gave the Cavaliers momentum. They now have a new winning streak to carry them into Thursday’s game against Churchland, whom they narrowly defeated earlier this season. A win then gives Lakeland even more impetus in their biggest district game of the season (thus far): the one played at Nansemond River on Friday.

&uot;Coming off (the Booker T. Washington) loss, this gets us back in a groove,&uot; said Eric Ruffin, who led the way Tuesday for Lakeland with 18 points. &uot;A new winning streak makes us more ready for Nansemond River, but they’re our local rival, so we’re already hyped up.&uot;

Lakeland dominated the game from the outset, charging to a 12-3 lead and 32-13 advantage. The Bruins never got closer than 15 for the remainder, and had their only run of the game (a 10-2 rush) in the final five minute when most of Lakeland’s substitutes were on the court. Mike Camp narrowly missed a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds, and Josh Russell had 11.

In other local action, Todd Harrell scored a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds as Nansemond-Suffolk Academy defeated host Greenbrier Christian 49-35. Bryan Breedlove had 10 points (nine of which came on three-pointers) and Bo Garner eight. The Saints play their first TCIS game at home against Catholic on Friday.