nked Isle of Wight Academy pulled out a 56-50 victory over Southampton Academy in boys’ basketball action Saturday night. IWA improved to 13-4 with the non-conference win, while the Raiders fell to 4-8.

“It’s just one of those games where it’s a hard loss,” said Southampton Academy assistant coach David Gibbs, “but we also made great strides going in the right direction.”

In earlier girls’ action Saturday, Southampton Academy whipped IWA 59-27.

Isle of Wight led 16-10 in the boys’ game on Brandon Black’s uncontested three-point with 2:10 left in the first quarter before SA’s aggressive man-to-man defense helped the Raiders rally for a 16-16 tie at the end of the frame.

“Having played a team after the first time, you know what to expect,” said Gibbs. “We demanded a lot out of our guys, but we stepped up and took care of business.”

Rashodd Maxey hit a three-pointer to begin the second quarter and gave the Raiders the lead for the first time.

The Chargers bounced back and led 31-30 at halftime.

SA led briefly 35-34 on a Joseph Gansor free throw midway of the third quarter, but IWA led 43-38 at the end of the frame, thanks for a Black three-pointer.

Michael Milteer canned a three-pointer with 5:32 left in the game to draw the Raiders even at 43-43.

IWA secured the victory with a Daniel Brown free throw, a bucket by Chris Parrish and two free throws by Brandon Privette.

“Again, even though it’s a loss, we are going to take it and make strides because of it,” Gibbs said.

Top scorer for the Raiders was Maxey, who had 21 points. Black led Isle of Wight with 20 points.

Maxey is new to the Raider roster, having transferred from the Blacksburg area.

“He’s a great basketball player,” said Gibbs. “He is a true guard, which is something this team has needed. We have had guys step up to take the guard spot, but that now frees them up to play more of a wing position. He is a great asset to this team. It is now just a matter of conditioning and letting him get into the offensive sets and the Raider style of basketball.”

The Raiders travel to Fuqua School on Tuesday and host St. Joseph’s School on Friday.

The Chargers host Hampton Christian on Tuesday and Denbigh Baptist on Friday.

SA girls’ coach Burdette Gatten called his team’s victory “a very physical game.”

“Isle of Wight’s girls played tough, but so did ours. I think we had a little more offense than they did. We are still building at this point. We usually peak a little later in the season. I hope to be hitting on all cylinders by conference tournament and state tournament time.”

Top scorers for the Lady Raiders were Lindsay Raulston with 26 points and Gabby Gatten with 19. Chelsea Edwards led IWA with 13.

SA plays today at Christ Church. The Lady Chargers travel to Hampton Christian on Monday night and Denbigh Baptist on Friday night.