On Thursday evening the R-MA Middle School Boys' Basketball team traveled to Rappahannock High School to play the Rappahannock Panthers in the VMSC Tournament Championship game. The Panthers forced early turn-overs and the Jackets found themselves down 17-11 after the first quarter. Rappahannock added to their lead by playing an inspired second quarter and led at halftime 30-19. The R-MA team was told at halftime that if they continued to play hard the game could still be won. Rappahannock had scored 7 three-pointers in the first half. Their shooting percentage in the first half was 70%.
The third quarter saw the Jackets play their best quarter of the season with inspired defense and offensive point production. At the end of the third period the Jackets had cut the deficit to four points, 30-34. The Jackets started the fourth stanza with inspired defense and actually took their only lead of the game, 39-38, with 3:24 left in the game. The Panthers had one more offensive run that the Jackets could not stop and the final score was 49-43.
Leading the way for the Jackets was seventh-grader Michael Sumner who scored a game high 21 points. Eighth-grader Stanley Richards added 17 points. Sixth-grader Sidique Thomas-Sualley contributed 3 points and eighth-grader Gil Iphael had 2 points.
Thanks to the parents, grandparents, siblings, and R-MA fans for traveling to the game to support your R-MA team. Thanks also to Principal Leasure for taking the fan van and cheerleaders.
This game was a well-played, physical championship contest. Both teams played well and never gave up. The Jackets conducted themselves well in defeat knowing that they had given it their all. With this loss the Jackets fall to 11-2 overall and 6-2 in the VMSC. There are still two games remaining in the regular season. On Tuesday, February 10, the Jackets host Riverfront Christian Academy at 5:00. On Thursday, February 12, the R-MA team will play their final 2014-2015 contest against Legacy Christian Academy following the girls' contest at 4:30.