The Mathews High School varsity boys’ basketball team split a pair of games in the past week, falling to Essex, 62-50, and beating Tidewater District foe King William, 60-54.

The Devils fought hard against Essex last Wednesday, with the teams knotted at the half, 28-28. The Trojans exploded for 21 points in the third quarter to seal the win.

C.J. Kelly led the way for Mathews with 21 points. He was followed by Deondre Foster who scored 13. Michael Cunningham scored six points and handled the ball well. Carter Vrooman and Andre Carter rebounded well and scored three points apiece. Chase Kemp and Ross McLaughlin also rebounded well and each scored two points.

On Friday, the Devils traveled to King William, defeating the host Cavaliers. Mathews jumped out to an early lead, pulling ahead of King William, 14-8, at the end of the first quarter, extending that lead to nine points at the half. The Cavaliers came back, but Mathews held on to a six-point lead at the final buzzer.

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