Lord Botetourt HS, Daleville,VA – Area high school basketball finally got under way in the Roanoke Valley as schools and communities continue to battle worries of Covid 19. It was good to see our young athletes out there doing what they love and experiencing high school competition. Prep sports have a different feel, there is no doubt. Crowds are limited and socially distanced. Much like you see in college games, teams’ benches occupy one side of the court with chairs spread out and the balance of the teams and coaches wearing masks. Botetourt head coach Andrew Hart was glad to finally be on the court, “We are just happy to be out there playing, trying to get our kids to enjoy the moment. We’ve barely got to practice, haven’t had any scrimmages, … first time seeing another team out there.” 
On the court there was nothing masked about both Botetourt County teams’ desires. Both Lord Botetourt and James River played hard from the jump.
Kyle Arnholt takes the ball to the basket
Cavalier Forward 4 Kyle Arnholt carried the offensive load for Hart’s troops with 25 points on the night in the 78-62 win. Botetourt needed Arnholt’s offense to match James River F/C 22 Patrick Clevenger’s efforts as he pitched in 24. Coach Hart beamed about these two ballers after the game., “Man Clevenger played well. He’s improved from last year. Kyle’s (Arnholt)a monster…did what he’s capable of doing, made some shots, finished around the basket. We love having Kyle Arnholt on our team.” Botetourt Senior G/F 11 Tanner Selkirk (4 pts)battled foul trouble all night hampering his ability to be aggressive.
Twenty miles separates Botetourt and James River so consequently these teams know each other pretty well. That also creates some additional competitiveness. “It’s a rivalry. They want to beat each other and James River always plays so hard against us. He (Coach Ethan Humphries) does a good job over there,” said Hart.
Botetourt’s guards played key role
First Half – In our new Covid 19 basketball world, there are no jump balls. So the game started with a side out. The teams got after each other defensively right away. The result showed up in very little offense at the onset. Hart remarked on the cold start, “Both team’s did a good job early and the defense was good, just offensively you’re going to start out a little cold.”
The Cavs started an icy 2/13 from the field, while the Knights fared only slightly better a 4/14. Foul shooting had Botetourt 4/4 from the line and James River was 3/4 from the foul stripe in the first period. Selkirk hit his first three pointer for Hart, but saddled with foul trouble (two in the first quarter, 3 by half), it limited his ability to be aggressive. Hart thought that Selkirk’s situation changed the Senior’s approach, “It just happens that you want to get going and you end up in foul trouble that’s just unfortunate for him (Selkirk). Fortunately we are in a great situation where we have a lot of guys who can step up and make plays. We definitely want him out there more.” James River led 14-9 at the first break.
Botetourt turned up their offense before half going 8/15 from the field to tie the game 27-27. Botetourt’s G/F 2 Logan Bramblett (8 pts)stroked a three pointer to notch the score just before half.
Cav Forward 15 Tilley gets a block on C/Forward Clevenger
Second Half – Botetourt flexed their muscle in the second half. The third quarter was still tight with the Cavs up 49-46, after Forward 15 Conner Tilley (9 pts). stroked a three pointer with a minute left in the third period. Tilley’s defense in the paint also was a difference for the Cavs in the second half.
F 22 Bryce Harrison makes his presence felt under the basket
In the final period, Botetourt turned up the defense and moved their offense inside. Producing some timely turnovers and Arnholt making the Knight’s pay around the bucket allowed for Botetourt to put some distance between the two teams. Hart was happy with his front court’s tenacity, “We have to start with our defense. We have 4 or 5 small guards and those guys get after it.” As stated earlier, Clevenger was the ball hawk for the Knights, but he wasn’t alone in offensive production for the visitors.
Both G 5 Ben Bailey and G/F 12 Heath Andrews kicked in 10 points. F 11 Ryan Steger tallied 9 and G/F 14 Isaiah Moran notched 7 for James River, respectively.
Sophomores G/F 1 Tyler Meade and G 5 Jackson Crawford both chipped in on the night with seven points for the Cavs.
Botetourt is back in action tonight at home against Pulaski County.
Lord Botetourt– Arnholt 25pts (11-FGs, 1-3ptr, 0/1 FTs) Tilley 9pts (3-FGs, 1-3ptr) Prince 8pts (1-FG, 6/9 FT) L Bramblett 8pts (1-FG, 2-3ptrs) Crawford 7pts (4-FGs, 1-3ptr) Meade 7pts (1-FG, 1-3ptr, 2/2 FTs) Salvi 5pts, (1-FG, 1-3ptr) Selkirk 4pts (1-3ptr, 1/2 FTs) Lovern 2pts (1-FG) Harrison 1pt (1/2 FTs), Opponent 2pts (1-FG)
James River – Clevenger 24pts (8-FGs, 3-3ptr, 7/10 FTs)Bailey 10pts (3-FGs, 1-3ptr, 1/1 FT) Andrews 10pts (4-FG, 2/3 FT) Steger 9pts (3-3ptrs) Moran 7pts (2-FGs, 3/4 FTs) Braun 2pts (1-FG)
