By Frank Davis

Correspondent

After being down in both the first and second quarters Friday in a Southeastern District game against the visiting Oscar Smith Tigers, Nansemond River’s boys came back in the second half to take a 61-55 win.

“They were tired in the first half,” Warrior head coach Ed Young said. “But they did a great job in the second half.”

The lead changed hands a few times during the opening minutes of the game in a fast-paced run-and-gun battle between the two teams. Shannon Evans popped two of his five three-pointers during the first quarter, but the Tigers still outgunned the Warriors for an 18-14 lead at the end of the quarter.

The home team picked up the pace in the second quarter, with Evans hitting another three-pointer and Ed Drew dropping in a basket to tie the score 22 all with 5:40 remaining in the half.

But the Tigers answered back and pulled ahead again 29-23. Warrior Sterling Peden closed the gap to 29-26 after hitting the mark on a three-pointer with 2:16 remaining in the half.

Mike Copeland scored next for the Warriors to cut the lead to one point, 29-28. The Tigers took a 30-28 lead to the locker room.

The third quarter was the turning point for the home team.

“They re-energized to take the lead, and they never gave it up,” Young said.

As the third quarter began, Kendric Washington connected for two points to tie the score at 30. Dontrell Brite hit the nets to put the Warriors ahead for the remainder of the game.

The Warrior fans came to their feet following a monster slam by Evans, and the home team went on to hold a 48-40 led at the end of the third quarter.

In the final quarter of play the Warriors opened the lead to 57-47 following another slam by Jay Melendez with about 2:00 remaining in the game.

The Tigers struggled to try to stay in the game, but the home team held them at bay.

In scoring for the Warriors, Evans led with 22 points, and Mike Copeland had 10 points.

For the Tigers, only one player, Chris Williams, scored in double figures, with 13 points.

The Warriors’ record now stands at 16-4 overall and 14-3 in the district. They are currently ranked No. 2 in the district.