NB Hands WHS First Loss

The Williamsburg High School boys’ basketball team came to Northern Bedford on Feb. 16 sporting a spotless 6-0 record but left with its first blemish of the season. Northern Bedford went on an early fourth-period run that proved to be the difference in a 67-57 victory.

NB held the lead for much of the first half but the Blue Pirates made a run early in the second and a trey by junior Lambert Palmer gave Williamsburg their first lead, at 37-36 since the opening moments of the game. The game see-sawed back and forth throughout the remainder of the third with NB forging a 47-44 advantage heading into the final frame.

After Williamsburg got the first bucket of the fourth, the Panthers went on a seven-point run punctuated by senior Caleb Diehl’s trey to go up 54-46 and the Blue Pirates never recovered.

“We did a good job of getting back on defense to not give up easy layups all night,” NB coach Randy Meck said of his squad’s ability to slow down the Blue Pirates.

Williamsburg had been averaging more than 80 points per contest.

“They made some big plays and clutch free throws down the stretch,” said Williamsburg mentor Brock Anders.

Diehl had 23 for the Panthers while seniors Dakota Claar (14) and Hayden Foor (13) also had double-digits.

Palmer had a game-high 24 points for the Blue Pirates while senior Drew Hileman chipped in with 15.

Williamsburg dropped to 6-1 while Northern Bedford improves to 7-4 overall.

• NB 90, Tussey Mountain 50: Northern Bedford improved to 8-4 with a 90-50 trouncing of rival Tussey Mountain, at Tussey, on Feb. 20.

The Panthers turned the game into a route in the middle two periods after leading just 15-10 after one quarter. In particular a huge 31-point third quarter that pushed the lead to 76-45 put the game away.

Senior Hayden Foor with 21 points, including five treys, led the Panthers. Seniors Caleb Diehl (20) and Thad Leidy (15) also produced double-digits for NB.

“We got pretty hot after the first period and played extremely well on the offensive end," NB coach Randy Meck said. “We continue to improve as the ICC South race comes to a conclusion and the district playoffs are on the horizon.”

NB is currently tied for first place in the South Division of the ICC.