Nansemond River High School’s boys’ basketball team faced an unprecedented challenge in the fourth quarter against Woodside High School in Saturday’s Xtreme Sports Tip-Off Classic.

The Warriors led by 14 points with less than six minutes to go, but the Wolverines came within two with 23.1 seconds remaining. Nansemond River hung on with free throws from seniors Jalen Warren and Marvin Branch for a 65-59 home win.

Warriors head coach Ed Young was excited to see his team defeat an opponent he said could be the best it plays against all year. VirginiaPreps.com ranks the Wolverines at No. 2 in Virginia’s Group 6A.

“We kind of get pumped up for that,” Young said.

Woodside’s talent was on display in the first quarter, as they converted points in transition. Nansemond River likes to run whenever it can, but Young said, “That was the first team that ran us.” Defensively, the Warriors weren’t in position. “We never got back.”

The Wolverines also shot the ball well, exiting the period with an 18-15 lead.

“We got a little starry-eyed because of their shooting,” Young said.

The home team fell behind 23-17 in the second quarter before turning things around.

“We just started getting back, started slowing down a bit,” senior Devon Oakley said. Of Woodside, he added, “Those transition baskets didn’t really come in the second quarter.”

Also not coming in the quarter were points by Wolverines sophomore Chris Orlina, who is averaging nearly 20 per game, but was held to 14 on Saturday. Marvin Branch defended him.

“Marvin did a great job on him,” Young said, also praising Branch’s 14 points and 10 rebounds, the first double-double of his career.

Offensively, junior Scott Spencer started the 21-7 second period run by nailing three free throws after getting fouled on a three-point attempt. Oakley also contributed a four-point play as Nansemond River went up 38-30 at the half.

Inside baskets from senior Daniel Wallace helped the Warriors build their lead to 52-41 by the end of the third.

“We have beaten teams unmercifully in the fourth quarter,” Young said, but Woodside went 8-of-14, and Nansemond River was outscored in the final period for the first time this year. “We’re not used to seeing that, so we didn’t handle it the right way, but we won the game.”

The Warriors avoided being undone by their eight turnovers in the fourth, including five in the final two minutes.

Oakley led Nansemond River with 18 points, also adding six boards and three assists. Spencer finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, and Wallace had 12 points and seven rebounds.

At the midpoint of the Warriors’ 22-game regular season schedule, they are 11-0.

“It just shows that we have great team chemistry,” Oakley said. “We have good depth.”

Nansemond River hosted Western Branch High School on Tuesday and plays at Deep Creek High School on Thursday.

Saturday’s first-time basketball event was put on by the Suffolk-based company Xtreme Sports Group, Inc. Its founder and chief executive officer Montria Spencer was pleased with how the day proceeded.

“I think everything went pretty well,” Spencer said. “The city of Suffolk — I think they supported us very well. The crowd was great, the games were great.”

Several college coaches were on hand, along with players from the Women’s National Basketball Association.