Blue Ridge’s boys basketball team is headed back to the state final four for the eighth year in a row with another balanced scoring effort and lockdown defensive performance leading the way.
Blue Ridge beat Norfolk Collegiate 66-47 with four players in double figures scoring, led by Maliq Brown’s monster double double with 17 points and 15 boards, with six assists and five steals thrown in for good measure as the area’s and perhaps the state’s most complete player continued his tear through the Barons’ slate.
Brown helped Blue Ridge transform a 17-14 advantage in the first quarter to a 10-point lead at the half and the Barons largely kept Norfolk Collegiate at arm’s length from there before slamming the door shut with a 19-point fourth quarter.
Robby Matos’ 18 points, three rebounds and three steals helped balance out Brown’s 8-for-9 performance with some solid guard production and Logan Rhoades knocked down three 3-pointers to also help keep the Oaks from collapsing on Brown
Cam Brewer had 10 points and four assists for Blue Ridge and Rhoades added 11 points and four rebounds.
The Barons will face Steward Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Virginia State in the Final Four.
