3-Peat: Chargers capture 3rd straight district title
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| Middlesex High forward Juwan Reed goes strong to the basket for a layup during the win over Mathews last Friday. |
by Tom Hardin
Middlesex High won its third straight Tidewater District regular season championship Tuesday night at MHS in Saluda with a 60-56 win over West Point.
The win put the Chargers (7-1, 10-8) of Coach Brody Jackson in a position to be the number #2 seed in the Region A Division 1 Tournament, which begins on Wednesday, February 22.
But first, the Chargers still have some unfinished business in the Tidewater District. The district tournament begins next week and MHS will host Mathews at 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, in one semifinal. West Point will play King William in the other semifinal. The championship game will be played at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 17, at King William.
West Point 56
But West Point had other ideas. Before a packed gym, the Pointers fought back behind the play of A.L. Allen (25 points) and cut the MHS lead to two points several times in the second half, but could never tie the game or take the lead.
“We kept on making some plays and got some big stops,” said Jackson. Ryheem Lockley led the Chargers with 23 points and Juwan Reed had 12 points.
“Juwan was huge for us with his rebounding, especially on the offensive end,” said Jackson.
Guard Sherman Osborne made some clutch free throws down the stretch and finished with 7 points. PJ Hart and LJ King each added 7 points and Brett Carter contributed 4.
“It’s a great feeling to win the district,” said Jackson. “I’ve been telling the players all year long that I came here for a reason. From day one we talked about a chance to three-peat.
“As defending district champions we had an X on our jerseys all season. Every team gave us their best shot,” said Jackson. “We had to our players’ best effort every game to win this thing.”
Mathews 46
Juwan Reed continued his torrid play for the Chargers with a career-high 18 points and 15 rebounds.
PJ Hart continued his improved play with 15 points. Ryheem Lockley also tallied 15, LJ King had 10, Cullen Johnson 4, and Shane Bristow and JD Diggs 2 apiece.
Diggs started in place of Osborne, who missed the game due to sickness. Diggs turned in a superb defensive performance. Center Justin Smith also miss the game due to illness.
