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By James J. Lidington

Isle of Wight Academy

FOOTBALL

Six Isle of Wight Academy varsity football players were named among the best in the commonwealth in Virginia’s small-school division of private schools, according to an announcement from the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association on Dec. 12.

Chargers senior Jackson Cofer made the first team on offense at running back; senior wide receiver Alex Holt, junior offensive lineman Aiden Brock and senior kicker Jude Powell also qualified for the VISAA Division III all-state first team. Sophomore Jason Chapman received honorable mention at quarterback.

On defense, Cofer made the first team as a linebacker, and Powell was selected as a punter. Senior linebacker Dorien Batten made the second team, and Chapman and Powell did likewise at defensive back. Sophomore Grayson Brock received honorable mention at defensive end.

BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Isle of Wight Academy varsity boys and girls basketball squads each split two games in the Portsmouth Christian School Holiday Tournament on Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17.

The boys (3-5) narrowly lost 53-50 to their old Metro Athletic Conference rival, the Portsmouth Christian Patriots, before rebounding to soundly trounce Greenbrier Christian Academy, 58-30.

The boys led PCS by 10 points, 27-17, at halftime, but a key 15-2 third-quarter scoring binge put the Patriots ahead, and they never trailed IWA again. 

The Chargers tied the game at 50 with 1:12 left in the game on a field goal by Jason Chapman, but Portsmouth made just enough shots to win, going 3-for-6 from the charity stripe, missing the front ends of two one-and-one opportunities. IWA failed to connect on three 3-point attempts as time expired.  

The IWA girls (5-2) bested the host team Friday, 38-28, before falling to eventual tournament champs Hampton Roads Academy, 42-20, on Saturday.

Against PCS, the Lady Chargers found themselves in a tight game for most of two quarters before taking a 19-16 lead into halftime.

Poor foul shooting in the second half (3-for-8) doomed PCS, as IWA eventually built a lead late in the game.

COMING UP: 

Thursday, Jan. 5

Basketball: JV boys/varsity girls/varsity boys vs. Portsmouth Christian, 4/5:30/7 p.m.

Indoor Track @ Boo Williams Sportsplex

Friday, Jan. 6

Basketball: JV boys/varsity girls/varsity boys at Greenbrier Christian, 4/5:30/7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 7

Basketball: Girls/boys middle school at Broadwater Academy, 12:30/1:45 p.m.

Indoor Track @ Christopher Newport University