The Nansemond River High School boys’ basketball team discontinued the longest losing streak in coach Ed Young’s tenure with a 61-51 victory over Central High School of Pageland, S.C., on Monday evening during the McBee Holiday Tournament in McBee, S.C.

“We started out a little sloppy with four (turnovers) in our first five possessions, but because we caused them to rush their shots and we rebounded the ball well, we were able to get the shots we wanted,” stated Young.

The Warriors enjoyed a 23-5 lead after the first quarter, during which they shot 10-for-13 from the floor. Their defense caused six turnovers in the period, and they turned five of them into points, helping compensate for their own failures to take care of the ball.

“We had not played since Dec. 19, and it showed early,” Young stated. “Thank goodness for our pressure defense, because it got us on a roll that they never fully recovered from.”

Nansemond River senior Matt Allmond scored 10 of his game-high 20 points in the opening quarter on 5-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three-point range.

After a sloppy second quarter, the Warriors took a 37-22 halftime lead over the Eagles.

Nansemond River was up by as much as 24 points in the third quarter, but the Eagles used their quickness advantage to bite into the Warrior lead, getting it down to nine twice in the fourth quarter.

The Warriors went 25-for-52 from the floor, equaling 48 percent shooting. The shooting statistics also revealed the return of their long range shooting touch as they went 9-for-18 from three-point range.

Nansemond River out-rebounded the Eagles 32-24, only the third time this year the Warriors have topped their opponent in this statistical category.

They caused 21 Central High School turnovers, but they also turned it over 18 times, as well, making for a less-than-polished win.

“After four straight losses by (an) average of (22.5) points, any win is nice,” Young stated.

Allmond got his 20 points with 8-of-12 shooting from the floor, 4-of-7 on three-pointers, and he led Nansemond River in rebounding with 10, adding three blocked shots.

Warriors junior Josh Covington added 10 points, and senior Aaron Parker had 10 points, as well.

Nansemond River (5-4, 0-2) played host McBee High School on Tuesday evening in the championship game of the McBee Holiday Tournament.