The Blue Ridge Middle School boys basketball team took a hard-loss from Fairview at home on Monday losing 39-11. Volunteer Coach Griffin Taylor said Blue Ridge has a lot of first-time players this year, but Monday’s game was a great learning tool.
“Obviously the press killed us,” said Taylor. “They have never faced a press that intense before. But we’re going to get back to work and focus on beating that press. But I saw improvement today and we’re going to continue to build on that.”

Christian Ohler maintains possession of the ball in Monday’s game against Fairview at home. Blue Ridge lost 39-11.
Volunteer Coach and Blue Ridge Middle School math teacher Elijah Reece said Fairview is a talented team playing games like Monday’s helps the team improve overall.
“We knew this was a top-level opponent,” said Reece. “We use these experience4s when we play against teams more in line with our skill set. Today was a good challenge and we’re going to learn a lot from it.”

Eric Puskarich drives past a Fairview player during Monday’s game.
Eric Puskarich said Fairview had too many “big people,” and they have to take the night’s loss and move on.
“We did okay, but we had a lot of turnovers,” said Puskarich. “And we need to work on our layups. We’ll just come back here and work harder next time.”
Blue Ridge next plays in Highlands at 5 p.m. on Nov. 26.

Levi Walters wins the footrace to the ball against Fairview.
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
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