No matter if the preseason expectations are lower than what Nansemond River and Lakeland fans are used to, Suffolk basketball fans will flock into a gym to see the great Suffolk rivalry that is the Cavaliers versus the Warriors.

Friday night was no different. In front of a packed house at Nansemond River, spectators watched the Warriors take down the Cavaliers 69-62.

Backcourt play was key for the Warriors in the win, led by swingman Brian Clarke and point guard Ashton Moore who both played nearly the entire game.

Nansemond River started the game off feeding off of the home crowd. Clarke had a hand in the Warriors first six points, scoring the first two baskets himself and assisting on the other.

The Warriors jumped out to an early 10-2 lead, and their defense cracked down early, not allowing another Cavalier basket until the 1:01 point in the first quarter. NR led end of the first quarter 13-6.

Clarke continued his stellar play into the second quarter, leaking out for an easy fastbreak lay-up with 5:30 left in the second, putting his team up 21-9.

The Cavaliers would respond though, Reggie Morris nailed a three on the next trip down, keeping his team close.

The Warriors again looked to blow the game open with 2:55 remaining, after a Moore pull-up jumper from the free throw line in transition, NR led 26-11.

Morris would again keep his team close, putting in another three to cut the lead 26-14.

Winston Sellers finished the half strong for the Cavaliers, with a buzzer beating lay-up making the score 28-21 NR.

Lakeland continued to chip at the Warriors lead in the third quarter.

A three-pointer from Rodney Goodman cut the NR’s lead to just two, 34-32, halfway through the third quarter.

The Warriors finished the quarter leading 42-36.

Kerrington Harris started the last quarter off with a jump shot from the wing, extending the Warriors lead to eight points. He then knocked down two free throws to give his team a double digit lead.

But the Cavaliers were persistent the whole night, and at the 5:00 mark, they had cut NR’s lead to 51-47.

But Clarke and the Warriors would answer, as he scored seven of his 23 points in the fourth. He also had five steals and four assists.

NR knocked down the free throws when they needed to. Moore finished the game with 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, also shooting 11 of 16 from the free throw line.

Harris was also in double figures for the Warriors with 11 points coming off the bench.

“The kids came out early with great energy,” said NR head coach Ed Young. “They executed early and we kept them at bay on defense.

“We had good energy on both ends and for an opening game the kids did a good job,” said Young.

The Warriors next travel to play Grassfield on Tuesday. The Cavaliers take on Indian River at home on Tuesday.