by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191

The unbeaten journey continues.

Petersburg topped Hopewell 75-46 its usual impressive fashion to claim the Central District title, its second straight, running the Crimson Wave record to 25-0.

Drejon Scott got it all started, scoring 12 points in the first quarter, including three 3-pointers.

It looked like Scott would go for 10 treys like he did on Prince George earlier in the season.

He cooled off and Hopewell started to guard him a little more, giving room for Chris Evans to operate.

He had six of his game-high 23 points in the second period, including a ridiculous I-lost-the-ball-but-it-looks-like-an-alley-oop jam.

"It was a fastbreak and it just kind of slipped out of my hands," said Evans, who also corralled 22 rebounds as he hit the boards harder without DuVaughn Maxwell available. "I saw it bounce so I just caught it and put it in."

The highlight reel just was beginning.

In the third period, Petersburg went on an 8-0 run, all on dunks.

Evans caught a tip-dunk. Then he threw an alley-oop to the top of the square that Cadarian Raines caught and slammed in.

Evans registered a two-hand jam and then he threw another oop, this time crosscourt to Raines.

It gave Petersburg a 26-point lead that was reduced to 15 to start the fourth quarter, before Petersburg started the final period on a 10-0 run to end the drama.

Hopewell was led by Pedro Berrios, who scored 16 points and helped hold Raines to eight points, all in the second half as the Blue Devils hardly let him touch the ball.

"They did a great job in the first half of double teaming Cadarian," Petersburg coach Bill Lawson III said. "They were giving our kids open shots. When you hesitate on them, sometimes you miss.

"Chris is probably the best finisher in the state. He's really fitting in and letting the game come to him. The last four or five games he's been so under control."

Hopewell     10  7  20  9 - 46
Petersburg 21 14 17 23 - 75
Hopewell (16-9): Ruiz 2, Berrios 16, M. Gholson 9, Rose 9, Tims 6, B. Tyler 0, A. Tyler 4, Reeves 0, McKindley 0. Totals: 19 7-15 46. 3-point goal: Gholson.
Petersburg (25-0): K. Green 4, Mason 4, Desmore 6, Moore 4, Evans 23, Scott 14, M. Greene 5, B. Greene 0, Hoosier 2, Raines 8, Spain 2. Totals: 26 19-27 75. 3-point goals: Scott 3, Desmore, Mason.