By Sports Editor Brian Hoffman
The William Byrd boys’ basketball team played host to Christiansburg Monday night in a game that was postponed from December 2nd due to the Demons participation in the VHSL football playoffs. The extra time didn’t help the visiting Demons as Byrd took a 63-48 win in Vinton.
The Terriers started off red hot, scoring the first 11 points of the game. Jaiden Childress had 10 points in the first quarter as Byrd led 16-13 after one period.
“Our student section brought a lot of energy and that got us going,” said Byrd coach Brad Greenway. “Jaiden’s energy was a constant for us and really kept us moving forward during the game.”
The Terriers increased their lead to 37-25 at the half as Isaiah Board warmed up, hitting three three-pointers. Isaiah had four threes in the first half and five for the game.
“Isaiah had a great night shooting from outside, and Izzy (Hairston) played his normal steady game at the point guard spot for us,” said Greenway. “He brings us steady leadership night in and night out.”
The Demons outscored Byrd in the third period, 15-14, but Childress scored seven points in the fourth quarter as the Terriers pulled away for the win. Jaiden led the team with 24 points, followed by Board with 17 and Hairston with 11.
The win lifted Byrd to 2-2 on the season as the Terriers evened their record after opening the season with two losses to Cave Spring, the defending VHSL Class 3 champion and top ranked team in the state.
“It felt good to get a second win and we’ll see what happens when we go to Hidden Valley,” said Greenway. “There was some chippy-ness to that game against them last week and I think they have some guys eagerly waiting for this one Wednesday night.”
The Terriers were scheduled to play at Hidden Valley on Wednesday after downing the Titans in Vinton last Friday, 63-48. Childress scored 26 in this one, including 11 in the fourth quarter as Byrd outscored Hidden Valley 21-9 in the period to break the game open.
Hidden Valley jumped off to a 12-2 lead at the outset and led 18-14 after one quarter and 29-27 at the half.
“We didn’t do a great job of affecting their shots but they hit some deep threes to open the game and appeared to have it rolling,” said Greenway. “We weren’t playing bad, just talked to our guys about staying the course and doing what we do. We did that and our guys did a great job of answering every time HV tried to get going.”
Byrd pulled ahead 42-39 after three and finished strong with Childress leading the charge. Hayden Eads hit for 16 and Board had 13, including a pair of three-pointers.
“We were steady from start to finish and played a solid game,” said Greenway. “Jaiden had a great game scoring in transition and rebounding the basketball. His energy was a constant for us and we needed it.”
The Terriers are now off for a week, returning to the court December 22nd at Bassett. They’re in the Northside Invitational the week after Christmas, from December 28-30.
