The Mathews High School jayvee boys’ basketball team won its Tidewater District opener on Tuesday, beating the visiting King and Queen Tigers, 37-29.

Mathews led throughout, although King and Queen narrowed the margin to 20-17 at the end of the third quarter. But the Devils responded, scoring 17 fourth-quarter points to the Tigers’ 12.

The Tigers struggled on the foul line, scoring only one of 10 shots. The jayvee Devils shot 50 percent from the line, scoring 15 points.

Ryan Ewell handled the ball well and scored 10, six in the fourth quarter. He was helped out by Cody Kelly who scored eight points and also handled the ball well. Kelly passes unselfishly and as an eighth grader he has a great relationship with the upper classmen.

Paul Burnette and Josh Wilson each scored five points. Joey Gordon and Quentin Schafer scored three points apiece. Taiwan Forrest added two and Ian Smith one.

The jayvee team returned to action following the Christmas break on Monday ni...