In a matchup of two of VISAA Division 2’s Top 12 teams, the #11 Hargrave Tigers took down #9 Norfolk Collegiate by a score of 62-59. Hargrave’s record improved to 9-7 overall with the win.
VISAA Division 2 is an extremely competitive league and that was evidently on display Friday night in Walter Davis Gymnasium. With both teams being ranked closely in the last VISAA Coaches Poll, both teams were eager to take the floor. After some early jitters, Hargrave held a slight 10-9 advantage after the first quarter of play.
In the second quarter, Hargrave went on a flurry of stifling defense that led to multiple layups from senior, Matt Brown, Jr. (Kenosha, WI). The Tigers were able to use that defensive intensity, along with the help of Hargrave’s “6th Man”, the Corps of Cadets, to take a 27-21 lead into halftime.
The second half was a back and forth sixteen minutes of action, with both teams going on runs at different points throughout the final two quarters. The Tigers capped off a 7-0 run midway through the third quarter on senior, Wade Thomas’ (Danville, VA) second three pointer of the evening, giving Hargrave a 39-32 lead. However, Norfolk Collegiate cut into the Hargrave lead to end the third quarter but Hargrave still held a 39-37 advantage heading into the final quarter of play.
With 4:26 to go in the game, Norfolk Collegiate took a 46-45 lead, which ended up being their last lead of the game as Hargrave went on an 8-0 run over the next three minutes of action. Leading 50-46, junior, Nathan Kania (Danville, VA), ended the Tiger 8-0 run with a clutch three pointer right in front of the Hargrave bench, giving the Tigers a 53-46 lead. Norfolk Collegiate continued to battle, hitting a pair of back to back tough, deep three pointers but the clutch free throw shooting of senior, Grant Okolo (Riverdale, MD) and Matt Brown, Jr. was enough to hold off Norfolk Collegiate giving Hargrave the 62-59 win in a thrilling night of high school hoops.
Notable Performances Include:
Matt Brown, Jr. ’19–26 points, 6 rebounds
IJ Ezuma ’21–14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
Grant Okolo ’19–11 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds
Wade Thomas ’19–8 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
Justin Campbell ’20–0 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 steals
The Tigers are back in action on Monday evening as they host Carlisle School. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:45 PM from Walter Davis Gymnasium.
