by James J. Lidington

ISLE OF WIGHT
Isle of Wight Academy hit a then-season-high nine three-pointers as they routed their former Virginia Commonwealth Conference foes Kenston Forest 84-58 on Dec. 11.

Sophomore William Fricke had 19 points to lead the Chargers. Teammates Brandon Casey and Grant Worthy both had three long-distance baskets and finished the game with 17 points. Colby Williams had 14.

Points had been at a premium for the Chargers so far this young season. Their 26 points in the first quarter against the Kavaliers were their most in any quarter thus far. Meanwhile, Kenston managed only four field goals and 10 points in that period.

The Chargers almost eclipsed that performance with 25 points the next period, including three three-pointers, two by Worthy.

IWA tried to maintain that success the following night against Hampton Christian, but ultimately fell to the Warriors, 54-47. The Chargers have not defeated Hampton Christian since the 2013-14 campaign.

That trend seemed destined to end when IWA jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter, but Hampton cut into that advantage with a 19-14 second quarter. The Warriors erased the Charger lead in the third quarter, when the claimed a 35-32 lead.

Hampton’s A.J. Baker and IWA’s Worthy each had 19 points. They were the only scorers in double figures for their teams.

Friday, IWA was trying to end a winless streak against Portsmouth Christian dating back to the 2012-13 season. Despite numerous opportunities to narrow the Patriots’ lead to fewer than four points, they were unable to finish the job and lost, 69-60.

Worthy had a season-high 29 points, including six 3-pointers, as the Chargers eclipsed their three-point-shooting mark with 10 for the game. Fricke had 13 points.

Portsmouth’s Xavier Austin had 22 to lead all scorers; teammate Jerry Goodman had 13.

IWA began its holiday break with a 1-5 record, 0-2 in the Metro Athletic Conference. They return to action on Dec. 27-29 in the Peninsula Catholic Holiday Classic. They will face Walsingham Academy for the second time this year in their tourney opener at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27. Other opponents will be announced.

The Chargers return to regular-season play when they travel to Denbigh Baptist on Thursday, Jan. 4.

JAMES J. LIDINGTON is a teacher at Isle of Wight Academy. He can be reached at 357-3866.