The highly anticipated Indian River-Woodbridge varsity basketball game was the game to see on Dec. 14. Both teams came into the game undefeated and featured some of the best talent not only in the Southern Division but the state. 
Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT
Looking to come back from their first defeat of the season, Indian River sends Cory Myles driving hard toward the hoop in their game against Nandua on Wednesday, Dec. 19.
Deshawn Godwin tries to get around Nandua defenders.
Deshawn Godwin tries to get around Nandua defenders.
The bleachers filled quickly and those who couldn’t squeeze in on the bleachers sat in the aisles, while others huddled outside the doors to the school, hoping to catch a glimpse of the game – which Woodbridge won convincingly, 77-52.
Indian River limited Woodbridge to only 11 first-quarter points and led by one point heading into the second quarter. Woodbridge did pick up the pace offensively in the second quarter and never looked back with Indians big-man Jeremy Purnell on the bench due to foul trouble in the first half.
“The big guy got in foul trouble in the second quarter, and we got down and it made it hard to come back against [Woodbridge] because we didn’t control the pace of the game,” Indians head coach Phil Mead said. “We got caught up trying to play their game, and it took the wind out of us.”
Woodbridge’s big three – Kyan Andrews (21 points), Vashad Whidbee (24 points) and Deaven Horne (15 points) combined to score 53 of their 60 points in the final three quarters and did so primarily by dominating the boards and causing turnovers that led to easy baskets in transition.
Woodbridge out-rebounded Indian River 45-34 and created twice as many turnovers (26-13).
“Woodbridge is blessed with talent,” Mead said. “But we played right with them through the first quarter, and I told them that if we just take away the little things, then we’re right there with them in the fourth quarter.”
Woodbridge pounded the offensive glass and nearly out-rebounded the Indians on offensive rebounds (27) alone. And given a second chance at scoring, Woodbridge converted eight of 17 field goals, all of which were scored in the paint, off of offensive rebounds.
Purnell, who had a team-high 14 points and 10 rebounds, and sophomore swingman Keion Sturgis (10 points) were the only two Indian River players to score in double digits. The remaining five players who logged minutes in the loss last Friday averaged a mere 5.3 points.
Indian River (3-1) will look to get back on their winning track when they host Nandua on Dec. 19 and then Laurel on Dec. 21 before heading into an 11-day layoff due to the holidays. The Indians will return to play at Milford on Jan. 3, in what will be one of three away games out of the upcoming four games in just 11 days.