Mariner boys fall to Woodbridge in Capital Classic
Following back-to-back three-win seasons, the Mariner boys’ basketball team took a major step forward this season. An eight-win season pitted the Vikings against a talented Woodbridge Middle squad in the Capital Classic Liberty Tax Service bracket on Valentine’s Day.
The Vikings fell just short, losing 43-37 to the Blue Raiders.
“This goes back to all the hard work we put in from the beginning,” said Mariner coach Josh Hackney. “From day one, we talk about the reasons why we step on the court. Why do we come out here? Why do we play? It’s tough because we had a lot of good things happen in this game, and we had some bad things that happened.”
In a back-and-forth battle that featured several lead changes, the Vikings led early, but found themselves trailing in the second half. Behind eight to begin the fourth, Mariner picked up the intensity on defense and in the transition game.
“Shots were falling, but we had some turnovers here and there, and we didn’t produce on some possessions, but overall I think we played pretty good,” said eighth-grader Joe Ruark.
Ruark said he didn’t have the best first half, so he wanted to help his team come back in the final two frames. Ruark excited the crowd with an acrobatic lay-up to get the Vikings within five. He generated thunderous applause just seconds later when he connected from deep to make it a three-point contest. His never-say-die attitude reignited the belief in his team.
“In your mind, you just need to think that at least you tried your hardest. You don’t want to lose and then realize you didn’t try your hardest,” Ruark said.
Hackney said Ruark’s leadership has been an asset all year.
“Joe has been the guy the boys have looked to when we need a basket,” Hackney said.
Despite the Vikings pulling even down the stretch thanks to a three from Ben Hill, the Blue Raiders played the role of heartbreaker and pulled away for a 43-37 victory.
Mariner played Fifer Middle School for third place in the Liberty Tax Service bracket Feb. 15 after the Cape Gazette’s deadline.
