Cavs win third in a row
Published 10:02 pm Thursday, February 8, 2018
The Lakeland High School Cavaliers topped the rival Warriors twice on back-to-back days this week, helping the Cavs along on a three-game win streak.
The Lakeland boys’ basketball team defeated Great Bridge High School last Friday and had to quickly get ready for two showdowns rival Nansemond River High School. On Tuesday, they hosted the Warriors and defeated them 70-65. Wednesday night, they traveled to Nansemond River and took the game 65-52.
It is a positive direction for the Cavs, who need wins against teams in higher classifications to shift their postseason seeding and secure themselves a spot. Only 12 teams get in based on power ratings in the Class 3 Region A tournament.
“With how rigorous the Southeastern District is, it is going to prepare us for the regional tournament,” Cavs coach Clint Wright Sr. said. “Night in and night out, you have to come and play.”
The Cavs continued to build on all they had shown in their win last Friday. They didn’t want to settle for just defeating Great Bridge. They knew they were going to elevate their game to a higher level to defeat a rival like Nansemond River, and they did. The win streak is coming at the right time of the season.
“The guys have been trusting in each other,” Wright said. “We have been playing with a sense of urgency from the tip. We have also been on one accord on defense, and we also have been having offensive balance. We felt like if we can do that more, we could have more success.”
Wright also gave credit to Warriors coach Ed Young and how tough it is to get wins against him with what he has done throughout his tenure at Nansemond River. Keimari Artis and Clint Wright Jr. both led the Cavs with 17 points. Quentin Livingston added 10 points Wednesday night. Jaren Reid had a strong presence in the Tuesday game for Lakeland, scoring 24 points.
“It is important that we remain humble and hungry,” Wright said. “We have to continue to play with a sense of urgency as the season ends.”
Lakeland will host Indian River at 7 p.m. Friday, while Nansemond River will host its other rival, King’s Fork High School, at 7 p.m. Friday.
Lakeland 65, Nansemond River 52
L—Artis 17, Wright Jr. 17, Livingston 10, Bellamy 10, Mitchell 4, Rick 3, Reid 2, Cobb 2
NR—Lewis 18, Fatherly 6, Payne 6, Hale 5, Chatman 5, Wilkins 4, Parker 4, Springer 2, Morey 2