BY WILL HART/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
lenniehart2006@yahoo.com

PETERSBURG—Tidewater Academy’s bid for two state titles in a row came to an end when the Warriors lost 55-52 to Williamsburg Christian Academy at Virginia State University on Friday.

Warrior senior Mike Greene at the last second almost tied up the game, but his attempted 3-point shot bounced off the rim.

“They’re a great team, and for us to have a chance to tie and win at the end was incredible,” said Tidewater Coach Walter Westbrook. “I’m proud of the way the team stepped up this season after losing five starters last season.”

No. 3 Tidewater finished the season 23-6. No. 2 Williamsburg Christian moves on to the title game in the Virginia Independent Schools state tournament at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Virginia State. The Eagles will play No. 1 Virginia Episcopal School.

Tidewater trailed 14-6 at the end of the first quarter and 29-20 at the half. The Warriors gained momentum in the second half, outscoring Williamsburg Christian 32-26.

In the first half, Warrior Hunter Haywood tipped in a ball on a missed bucket at the buzzer.

In the third quarter, both teams were neck and neck, and Tidewater outpaced Williamsburg Christian 18-13 in the final quarter.

With 10 seconds left, the game was 54-50 in the Eagles’ favor. Williamsburg’s Will Mausteller was fouled and scored 1 point from the free-throw line to give his team a 55-50 lead.

The referees then called a technical foul on Mausteller for hitting two Tidewater players with his elbow. That sent Warrior Martin Hellyer to the line; Hellyer went 2-for-2, making the score 55-52.

With 4 seconds left, Greene attempted to get the ball down court, but failed to score.

Greene led with 18 points for Tidewater followed by Haywood with 14.

For the Eagles, Mausteller led with 19. Tony Harris and Deron Powers add 17 each.

The Warriors were 13-for-14 from the free-throw line and the Eagles were 5-for-11.