by James J. Lidington

WILLIAMSBURG
Isle of Wight Academy broke its eight-year losing streak against Williamsburg Christian, 68-61, Friday on the Eagles’ home court.

The win by the Chargers snapped an 0-18 string against Williamsburg, dating back to March 2010. The win also marked the Chargers’ best start since they went 6-2 to start the 2016-17 season. IWA won five of its first seven games in 2011-12 and 2010-11.

Against Williamsburg, IWA won with a mix of defense and long-range shooting.

The Eagles scored the first seven points of the game, but IWA regrouped during a time out 2:00 into the game.

They scored the next six points and took the lead for the first time, 16-15, on a Grant Worthy basket with :20 remaining in the first period.

The Eagles (1-4) seized the lead twice more in the second quarter, the latest coming on a basket by Kivinie Johnson, 24-22, with 4:05 left before halftime. The Chargers responded with six points of their own, four of those by high-flying Hunter Hayden, to reclaim an advantage, 28-24, with fewer than 2:00 remaining.

The Eagles again bounced back after halftime, taking the lead, 41-38, with 4:00 left in the quarter. But nine straight points — all on 3-pointers — by Russ Wells and Worthy put IWA back in front for good, 47-41, with 2:23 left in the period. The Chargers were 5-for-7 from the foul line in the fourth quarter.

On Dec. 12, the Chargers defeated their former Virginia Commonwealth Conference foes Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot, 59-24, in Blackstone.

Worthy had 20 points, including four 3-pointers. Wells had 10 points, including a pair of long-distance shots.

The Chargers led the Knights 12-8 after a quarter and the home team managed only three points in the second period as the visitors took a 19-11 advantage to the halftime locker room.

IWA opened its Metro Athletic Conference season Dec. 11 with a 69-38 demolition of Broadwater in the Jester Gymnasium.

Worthy led the way for IWA with 19 points, including a trio of three-pointers. William Fricke had 16 points for the Chargers; Hayden had 14, including a pair of crowd-rousing dunks in the first quarter.

Isle of Wight is scheduled to participate in a tournament this Thursday and Friday, Dec. 20-21, at Peninsula Catholic in Newport News, and will resume regular play on Thursday, Jan. 3.