Giants stifled

Although Spotswood lacked its key player, the Trailblazers were able to pull off a 55-31 win over Waynesboro on Monday.

The intensity bug was nowhere to be found for the Trailblazers in the first quarter. Spotswood just couldn’t capitalize on the numerous mistakes from the Waynesboro side.

“Early on we got some deflections, but we couldn’t get after the loose balls,” said Spotswood coach Chad Edwards.

The Trailblazers went 5-10 at the foul line and scored just four field goals in the first. The two teams went into the second quarter tied at 13.

“With our key guy being out,” Edwards said. “It really challenged the guys and we had to make sure that they knew it was a team effort.”

The uncontrollable fouls from the Little Giants, who had nine team fouls within a minute of the second quarter, helped the Trailblazers gain control of the ball and the game.

“We just wanted to control things a little better tonight,” Waynesboro coach C. Jay DeWitt said.

Spotswood went into the half up by seven, but came out a different team. The intensity could be read in the Trailblazers’ eyes, who hit the Little Giants with everything they had on defense and offense.

“We really challenged our guys to take better care of the ball,” Edwards said. “We looked more confident in the second half.”

Spotswood wasn’t afraid to take a hard drive into the hoop or attempt a long shot off the perimeter anymore, and with every shot came a roar from the bench.

The Trailblazers’ defense held the Little Giants to just five points in the third and six in the fourth.

“We just got after it,” Edwards said. “Our guys did a great job executing. Tonight really helped get our confidence back for when we go into district play.”

Spotswood had three players see double digits with Carlos Romero leading the way with 15 points, Michael Glover close behind with 14, and Andre Swartzentruber with 11.

Chris Johnson led the Little Giants with 10 points.

“We try to keep the score in the 50’s and low 60’s,” DeWitt said. “We have no chance if the score is in the 80’s, but if we can do that on a given night and shoot a little better than we feel like we have a chance.”

Waynesboro (2-10, 0-3 Southern Valley) faces Spotswood (12-1, 1-0 Massanutten) again tonight.