Patriots Victorious on the Road
By Malinda Shanaberger
The Amelia Academy varsity basketball teams racked up more road wins this past week. The undefeated Lady Patriots, now 16-0 overall and 8-0 in the VCC, beat Southampton Academy and Tandem Friends School on January 28 and 29.
The first victory came against Southampton on their home court with the ladies from Amelia Academy outscoring the Lady Raiders 62-28. Leading scorer was Lauren V. with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Kristyn C. had 13 points, hitting three more 3-pointers to bring her total to 48 this season. Amara E. had 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Dasha S. added nine points, nine steals, six rebounds and four assists. Darlene H. made seven points, and Lexi P. had one point, eight assists, and three rebounds.
“I was a little concerned about how the girls would handle playing on Saturday afternoon in Charlottesville, after arriving home after midnight on Friday from Southampton. I told them that they would have the same situation come tournament time, and they proved that they could handle two games in less than 24 hours. My girls are ready and eager to play any chance they get,” said Coach Frank Shanaberger.
The Lady Patriots “handled” eighth-ranked Tandem Friends 61-25 on Saturday afternoon. Amara E. led the ladies with 17 points, 13 rebounds and six steals while Lauren V. added 15 points, seven rebounds, and six blocked shots. Other scorers were Dasha S. (11 points, four assists and three steals), Nina B. (six points, nine rebounds), Darlene H. (four points and five rebounds), Kristyn C. (one three-pointer and five rebounds), and Lexi P. (three points, seven rebounds, and six assists).
The Lady Patriots remain ranked second in the VISGBA State Poll and will take on Kenston Forest Monday, January 31, on their home court. They play at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Academy on February 3.
The varsity boys from Amelia Academy also beat Southampton by a score of 73-65 and increased their record in the VCC to 8-1. Leading scorer was Reid J. with 25 points.
The boys are ranked fourth in the state poll and will face off against Kenston Forest in Blackstone on February 1, and will play at home against Tidewater Academy on Wednesday, February 2, and against Blessed Sacrament Huguenot on Friday, February 4.
Although Amelia Academy is the smallest school in Division III, both the girls and boys are ranked in the top four in the state poll.