The Quantico Middle/High School Warriors Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team tried to repeat history against the Wakefield Country Day School Owls in a home game on Feb. 7.

The Warriors and the Owls proved to be two evenly matched teams the last time they faced each other Feb. 4. At the end that game, the Warriors narrowly won 53-49. This time around, the Owls were looking for a different outcome.

“We’re going up against a pretty good team,” said Anthony, Warriors’ co-captain. “The last time we faced this team, it was a very close game. But I hope it ends the same the last one did.”

In the first quarter, there was no offense in sight. Both defenses overshadowed an almost scoreless first quarter that ended tied, 4-4.

Early in the second quarter, both teams were still being stingy, not giving much to the offenses. Eventually the Owls gained their footing and discovered that 3-pointers were the way to go.

 The Warriors didn’t let them get too comfortable as they began shutting the Owls’ offense down and pulling off multiple jumpers of their own. With the Warriors’ defense back on track, the Owls soon had to depend on foul shots since those were reluctantly given by the Warriors.

It seemed as if Anthony’s pre-game prediction was right. This was going to be a close game and whoever wanted it more was going to come out on top. Going into halftime, the Warriors managed to keep a slim lead, 17-16.

“We have to get pressure on their key players,” said Eddie Cottrell, head coach, Warriors. “We can’t give them that lane to draw a foul or get that easy basket.”

A few of Warriors starters were sitting out to catch their breath at start the third quarter. The Owls saw this as an opportunity to get a leg up on Warriors. Already having a height advantage, the Owls began triple teaming the Warriors. After a few steals and easy fast breaks, the Owls gained the lead.

By the end of the quarter however, the Warriors were able to bounce back and tie the game, 25-25.

The Warriors must have just been toying with Owls the entire game because within three minutes in the fourth quarter they went on a 9-0 run and the discouraged look on the Owls’ faces were not hard to miss. The Owls were able to get some points but, with 12 seconds left and the Warriors leading by three, the Owls needed to do something quick to at least tie the game.

The Owls were fouled while attempting a shot, which resulted in a technical foul on the Warriors. After making two of their shots, the Owls had shortened their deficit to one point. Everyone in the gym was on their feet and the Warriors’ fans’ cheers could be heard well off school grounds.

The Warriors inbounded the ball and the Owls tried to foul them before the time ran out. Fortunately, due to quick passing, the Warriors prevented the foul, ran out the clock and won the game, 41-40.

All of the Warriors played a vital role in the win. Yet, it seems right that they key players of the game, Jaylen and Anthony were also the co-captains of the team. Jaylen scored the most with 14 points while Anthony scored 13.

“It was an exciting game,” Cottrell said. “Both teams played their hearts out. Luckily for us the Owls missed their last couple of foul shots. All in all, I’m very proud of my team.”