Woodberry Forest suffered through a long, frustrating season in 2012-2013.
But with Craig Dawson entering his second year of a rebuild, the Tigers took a huge step forward Wednesday at home, holding on 44-42 to beat Prep League foe St. Christopher’s.
The Tigers got a 17-point, six-rebound night from Sacha Killeya-Jones, with the sophomore exploding for nine of his 17 in the fourth quarter.
Hunter Etheridge finished with 10 on the night, hitting a trio of 3-pointers and Lester Coleman and Clark Yarborough finished with six points a piece.
Davis Cornett helped fuel a fourth quarter comeback — the Tigers trailed 31-28 going into the final frame — by hitting three of his five free throws. With Killeya-Jones in a groove, that was more than enough for Woodberry to snag the two-point win.
The victory over a playoff squad from last year — the Saints fell in the first round to Miller last season — is a key early season win in an always tough Prep League.
Sophomore Nick Sherod, who has an offer from Virginia Tech, led St. Christopher’s with 17 points.
The Tigers will next host Mercersburg Academy at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at home.
Monticello boys beat Orange
Monticello got Jefferson District play started off right Wednesday with a 65-45 victory over Orange County in the Hornets’ first boys basketball game during their return to the district after a two-year stint in the Commonwealth.
The Mustangs’ junior Savion Thomas and senior Sam Colasuonno each had 16 points to set the pace for Monticello with juniors Jordan Spry and Jonathan Anderson chipping in seven points each.
The Mustangs built a 21-11 lead in the first quarter and after a nearly dead even second and third, held off an Orange charge with a strong final frame. Colasuonno had seven of his 16 in the fourth.
Damian Clark led Orange with 14 points while John Gillum finished with eight and Isaiah Ferguson and Tyler Hill had six each.
Jessie Lohr is in his first year as Orange’s head coach after Keyode Rogers departed for the Franklin County job.
Albemarle girls beat Fluvanna
Albemarle’s girls basketball team snagged a victory in the program’s first Jefferson District clash Wednesday night with a 57-45 win over Fluvanna County.
K.K. Barbour finished with 20 points for the Patriots to lead the way.
Kiana Childress led Fluvanna with 21 points while Katie Stutz had 11 for the Flucos.
