After starting the season 1-1, the boys JV basketball team has suffered seven straight losses versus Seneca Valley, Damascus, Richard Montgomery twice, Churchill, Walter Johnson and Magruder. Four of the six games have been lost by single digits, including an overtime loss to Magruder on Jan. 12. This gives the boys hope as they enter the back half of their schedule versus relatively weak teams. 

In a Jan. 7 morning game versus Walter Johnson, the boys had a four-point lead going into halftime. With no fans allowed due to MCPS Athletics’ new return to play policy, the Patriots could not keep up their momentum and eventually fell to the Wildcats in a tight one down the stretch. “It was a tough loss and was a game we had in our hands and definitely should have come out on top of,” sophomore guard Isaiah Cooper said.

In their Jan. 12 matchup versus the Magruder Colonels, the boys started off strong, forming a double digit lead early in the second quarter. The boys kept that momentum going as they finished the half up 16 points with confidence going into the second half. “We played a very good first half. We were patient on offense and played strong team defense to take away open shots,” sophomore guard Sammy Alexandre said.

Coming out in the third, the game was fairly even, however the boys pushed their lead all the way to 20, and entering the fourth quarter, they had a comfortable lead. Despite the early game success from the Patriots, the Colonels caught fire from deep in the fourth quarter and came all the way back to force overtime. “Everything was going our way, however we got too comfortable in the fourth and let the game slip away from us,” Cooper said.

Unfortunately, the boys could not pull through, and ended up losing in an overtime thriller 81-79. The Patriots had a three-point shot at the buzzer to win the game, however it just rimmed out. “It was a devastating loss because we had a huge lead and Magruder had no business being in that game. We have to bounce back in our next game,” Alexandre said.

In their most recent game, which was a rematch versus RIchard Montgomery, the offensive struggles continued, however the Patriots were able to keep it to a nine-point game in the fourth quarter. Richard Montgomery was able to pull ahead for a 20-point victory, leaving the boys at a record of 1-8. “Although our record is not where we expected it to be at the start of the season, we have had to battle with injuries and COVID related issues. As we enter the end of our season, I am confident we can pull out a few wins and end the season on a high note,” sophomore wing Brendan Famulare said.