The Briar Woods Boys Varsity Basketball team’s season is off to a rocky start, currently holding a 7-12 record, down from 8-11 at this point last season. Despite the struggles, a recent win over Stone Bridge marked a step in the right direction, as it improved their record but also strengthened their standing in the district. The Stone Bridge Boys Varsity Basketball team, a tough rival, presented a challenge, and the Falcons’ victory was a much-needed confidence booster.
However, their recent defeat to Potomac Falls, along with a string of losses against other teams, has put a noticeable dent in their overall record, leaving the team with a lot to overcome as they look ahead.
Junior point guard and captain Devon Pettibone comments,“I think we could definitely still win in the district but at this point, a good team goal would be to make a run in the playoffs. We’ve shown that in the second half [of games], we come out strong, but none of that matters if you can’t win the first half. We just have to figure out how to start off strong in the first half, and then we’re gonna be a tough team to beat.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Falcons were edged out in their matchup against the Jefferson Cougars, falling just short by two points with a final score of 53-51. Pettibone played a pivotal role, contributing 13 points, while senior small forward Patrick Fraim led the team with 17 points. However, both Pettibone and Fraim faced foul trouble nearing the end of the game, each racking up four fouls and putting their presence on the court at risk. Despite being down 44-33 going into the fourth quarter, the Falcons fought hard to make a comeback, closing the gap to 53-51 by the end of the game. With hopes of forcing overtime, they were unable to capitalize on their final opportunities, and the Cougars held on for the win. The Falcons’ determination and grit were evident, but unfortunately, they came up just short in the end.
Head Coach Derek Butler shares his thoughts on the team’s performance against Jefferson, stating, “the guys battled hard, but they got themselves in a hole and we had to dig ourselves out of it, but they were battling. That’s one good thing. Even though we lost that game, they were fighting to the very end, and that makes me proud of the group.”
On Friday, Jan. 17, the Falcons pulled off an impressive comeback victory over the Stone Bridge Bulldogs with a final score of 67-65 after going into overtime. Trailing 32-19 going into halftime, the Falcons came out strong in the second half, scoring 19 points in both the third and fourth quarters, helping them close the gap and push the game into overtime. Junior shooting guard Nick Donatella was a key contributor, scoring 16 points, while Fraim led the charge with a 22-point performance. The Falcons displayed great resilience, overcoming their first-half deficit by tightening up their defense and executing well on offense. Their determination and teamwork ultimately sealed the hard-fought victory, showcasing their ability to bounce back under pressure.
“We’ve been going through a rough spot where every game has been close, and we’ve been closing out on the losing end of it, so it’s been hard on the guys, because they’re working hard in practice,” said Coach Butler. “When you keep getting losses, it’s hard to keep pushing forward but we try to stay the course, and they did [in that game], and that was a very good feeling for them to finally get a win. We had so many stand-out special performances. Patrick was great, Josh was great, Devon was great, Nick had a great game, and we got congratulations from everybody, so I was really proud of them tonight,” continued Butler.
In Briar Woods’ game against Potomac Falls on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the boys were dealt a tough blow in their 62-47 loss at home. This marked another disappointing result for the Falcons, who had lost five of their last six games, negatively impacting their record for the season. Despite the Falcons’ efforts, they were unable to keep pace with the Panthers, who dominated the game and secured the win.
“Potomac Falls is a tough team to play, [because] they’re frustrating to play against [and] they trap like crazy so you just have to learn to move the ball against them. I think they’re a beatable team though, [and] they’re a team I really want to beat,” reflected Pettibone.
Since their tough loss against the Panthers, the Falcons have played a series of games that have unfortunately worsened their record to 7-12. They look to improve their record in their next place, which will take place at Potomac Falls on Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:00 pm, as they continue to look for the right balance and build momentum heading into the remainder of the regular season. Make sure to come out and support your Briar Woods Falcons!
