On Thursday evening, January 9th, the R-MA Middle School Boys' Basketball team started the new year on a positive note with an overwhelming win over the Winchester Academy Eagles from nearby Winchester. The young Jackets had no difficulty with their opposition who are experiencing a down year. The Jackets scored 12 points in the first quarter and never looked back. The final score was 36-0. Everyone received playing time, with the exception of two starters, and gained valuable experience. Leading the way for R-MA was sixth-grader Jonathan Bunker with 8 points. Others who contributed in the scoring were: Cailen Baggett with 6; Javon Farmer, John Backo, Gabe Dubin, and Jacob Backo each with 4 points; Griffin Loper, Jacob Karen, and Michael Wan each with 2 points.
On Friday, January 10, the R-MA Middle School Boys' Yellow Jackets played their best game of the young season. After getting off to a slow start the Jackets were down after the first period 6-9. The team came out in the second quarter and were able to run against the Mountain View Conquerors to establish a halftime lead of 18-13. During the second half the young Jackets controlled the ball well and were able to out play their opponents winning the game 32-20. A strong zone defense was the key to the victory. R-MA held their opponents to just 8 field goals and were able to clear the defensive boards. Leading the way for R-MA was Ryan Latham with 11 points and 9 rebounds, Stanley Richards with 11 points, Cailen Baggett scoring 6, and Samuel Uzoma adding 4 points and 10 rebounds. With this win the team is 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the VMSC.
On Monday, January 13, the R-MA Middle School Boys' Basketball team traveled to Rappahannock High School to play the Rappahannock Panthers, and the Jackets never got off of the bus. The R-MA team knew that the Panthers had destroyed their previous opponents by a wide margin. The game started and the Panthers jumped to a 7-4 first quarter lead. The Jackets had difficulty breaking the Panther's full-court press and were down 19-7 at halftime. Poor passing and shooting haunted the R-MA team throughout the second half and the final score was 42-12. With this loss the young Jackets are 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the VMSC. On Thursday, January 16, the Yellow Jacket girls' and boys' teams play Saint Joseph's from Martinsburg, WV, in a VMSC contest. Friday, January 17, the Front Royal Christian Academy Warriors come to R-MA Middle School gym to compete in a VMSC game. Thanks go out to the parents, grandparents, friends of the school, and R-MA fans for supporting the Jackets this season.