By Sean C.W. Korsgaard

Special to The Farmville Herald

The Cumberland High School varsity boys basketball team played host to a heated game with the visiting Prince Edward Eagles, one that only gained in intensity as the game went on.

The spirited action on the hardwood Tuesday resulted in Cumberland beating Prince Edward 56-51.

After a slow first quarter for both teams, the pace picked up in the second quarter, with both teams nipping at each other’s heels until the final buzzer. A combination of precise three-point shots from Prince Edward’s Marty Blount and fast drives to the hoop from Cumberland kept the Eagles and Dukes within striking distance of one another.

The game remained largely a two- or three-point ballgame well into the fourth quarter, with Cumberland leading for nearly the entire game, losing it only briefly to a rally by Prince Edward during the fourth quarter before fighting tenaciously to take it back not long after.

Ultimately, though, the game would be won and lost at the free throw line, most critically with a series of free throw shots with under a minute to go from Cumberland’s De’sun Jennings pushing the Dukes over the Eagles 56-51 in a narrow but hard-fought victory.

Jennings was still understandably ecstatic after the game, still smiling on his way out of the locker room.

“It’s an awesome feeling, you know?” said Jennings. “I’m just glad I could come through tonight.”

Cumberland head coach Tyrone Mosley had nothing but good things to say about the evening’s victory, specifically praising the strong effort from the Dukes on offense, and commending Jennings for sinking the “shots that sank Prince Edward.”

“It feels good to come out as strong as we did tonight,” said Mosley. “Great team effort, we made some big plays, made every shot count, and when crunch time came, our guys delivered.”

Even Prince Edward head coach James Scott had

some kind things to say about the Dukes.

“Cumberland played a great game tonight,” said Scott. “They made some big shots, especially at the end of the game, and they came out with a victory. Coach Mosley did a good job.”

The Eagles are taking the narrow defeat in stride, with Scott saying Prince Edward will use it as an opportunity for the team to learn.

“We just need to get more mentally tough, the ability is there, we just need to get everybody on the same page.” said Scott. “We got a great bunch of guys on this team, we’ll get better from here on out and they’ll be alright.”

As for where the Cumberland Dukes go from here, Mosley hopes they can build on this win.

“We still have got some things to work on, our defense and our rebounding certainly, but we’re certainly making strides,” said Mosley. “We have some tough games ahead, I just hope we can build on this and that the players learn from this.”