Cumberland County High School’s varsity boys basketball team set a strong tone early against Northumberland High School on Saturday, but the Indians put together a huge second quarter, and the Dukes were never able to fully recover.

Northumberland pulled away in the fourth quarter for an 86-66 victory, ending Cumberland’s remarkable season in the Virginia High School League Class 1 state quarterfinals.

“We played well overall,” Dukes Head Coach Tyrone Mosby said, noting his team led 22-20 after an exciting first quarter that thrilled the packed crowd in the Prince Edward County Middle School gymnasium.

Cumberland senior forward Darius Kyle scored 10 of his team-high 18 points during that stretch, including contributing two of the Dukes’ five three-pointers in the period. Senior forward Ja’Quan Brown added two and junior guard Mark Patterson Jr. hit one as well.

The Indians changed the complexion of the game in the second quarter, outscoring Cumberland 26-5 to take a 46- 27 halftime lead.

“Second quarter, we came out, and we just didn’t rotate quick enough to (Indians senior guard Joseth Tarleton), and he lit it up,” Mosby said. “So, if we could have contained him a little more, then who’s to say what would happen …”

Tarleton finished with a game-high 30 points. He hit seven three-pointers, including four in the first quarter and two more in the second. Senior guard Christian Rich was also effective on the perimeter and when driving inside, finishing with 23 points.

“Overall, I definitely was satisfied with the way we played,” Mosby said. “The defense was there, we never gave up, we played hard all the way to the end, so that’s all I can ask.”

The Dukes had the third quarter they needed to in order to stay in the game, outscoring the Indians 22-15. Northumberland led 61-49 going into the fourth quarter.

Cumberland cut the advantage to nine at one point, but the Indians continued to find success inside, and they also showed a familiar defensive strategy and tenacity that helped them stay ahead and pull away. Mosby had noted that they employ a defense similar to the one his team utilizes.

“So it’s just like looking in the mirror with them, and hey, they got the win,” he said.

The coach highlighted the play of Kyle, an All-Region 1B first team selection and the James River District Player of the Year.

“He stepped up from beginning to the end,” Mosby said. “He got in foul trouble towards the end, and (I) had to sit him half of the third … and (I) brought him in in the fourth, and he played hard until the end, so we wouldn’t be where we are without him.”

It was his last basketball game as a Duke along with Ja’Quan Brown and senior guard Joshua Brown.

Patterson finished the game with 11 points, Ja’Quan Brown added 10, junior guard Jonathan Weaver had eight, junior center Christian Jackson had seven and junior point guard Noah Bland contributed six. The Dukes also benefited from three-pointers by junior guard Ziahir Berry and junior forward Jalen Foster.

The Dukes finished the season with a 15-9 record. Their final win clinched the regional title — their first in 27 years.

“I told my guys we can remember this season by bringing the community together,” Mosby said. “That’s actually what we did the last four games.”