Stories

Albemarle opens season with win at Monticello

Photo by Bart Isley

 

After an extended wait full of uncertainty, the Albemarle and Monticello boys basketball teams were finally able to open up their seasons. With even further unknowns regarding this season, the opener was also used as a Senior Night, honoring seniors from both programs.

 

“Mainly we’re just happy to be playing, anybody, anywhere, whatever with everything that’s going on in our world right now, just to be able to play the basketball game tonight? I’m ecstatic,” said Albemarle coach Greg Maynard.

 

Appropriately, on the night they were celebrated it was members of Albemarle’s Senior class that helped lead them to a 59-41 victory in their season opener.  Like Josh Morse, who came out strong from the start, netting eight points in just the first quarter, including a finish on a backside lob. That effort helped the Patriots start on an 8-0 run and build a solid lead over the Mustangs while Morse finished with a double double, notching 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.

 

However, it was Albemarle’s defense that helped make their lead a bit more comfortable, only allowing 10 points the entire first half.  

 

“I was really pleased with our defense in the first half, it wasn’t quite as good in the second half, but you’re not going to hold somebody to 10 points too often in a half,” Maynard said.

 

Both offenses turned things on in the second half, with the third quarter providing a ton of scoring. The Mustangs started off with a comeback attempt, trimming the deficit to single digits with help from one of their seniors, Stefan Matthews. Matthews had 13 of his 18 points in the quarter to help lead his team. Dyllan Thompson also provided a lift, scoring eight points in the game.

 

The balanced attack of the Patriots proved to be too much for the Mustangs though, as they refocused on the defensive end and built upon their comfortable lead. Senior Will Hornsby hit a buzzer-beating three to end the third quarter for the Patriots, and he finished with 13 points along with four rebounds and assists. The multifaceted Patriot offense had nine scorers in the win, with Jackson Rose chipping in seven points and four assists in his return to the lineup after a devastating knee injury late last season.

 

The Patriots are scheduled to host Western Albemarle on Tuesday, while the Mustangs host Charlottesville on the same night.

 

Comments

comments