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It wasn’t just good defense. It was domination on both sides of the basketball court. The boys from Prince Edward Middle School took control early in Thursday’s first round playoff game and didn’t let up, en route to a 44-19 win. 

“Tonight was what we worked hard for all year,” said Prince Edward Coach Louis Gould III. “We are not surprised. This is what we’ve been practicing for over the last three months.” 

Jaylin Boyd led the way with 13 points, while Daitwane Cordell had 9 points and both Dashar Gordon and Jazil Lyles had 7 points each. And this was during a game where the outcome was never in doubt. By halftime, Prince Edward was up 26-8. By the end of the third quarter, that had increased to 33-14 and then 44-19 at the end. All this from a team with a majority of players that had never played middle school basketball before this season. These are mostly youth league players, students who suited up for the first time to play for the Eagles this season. And yet, throughout the regular season, they dominated, going undefeated. And that mentality was the same Thursday night, as they took to the court. 

So what happens next? The work continues, as Coach Gould said. For the last two seasons, Prince Edward Middle School has been the team left standing at the end, holding up the conference trophy. Now they have a chance to make it three in a row.  

“I’m proud of the boys but the mission is not done,” Gould said.  

They won’t be going far for their next game. Saturday’s semi-final will be played at Randolph-Henry High in Charlotte County, as the Eagles face off against Mecklenburg. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. and the winner goes to the conference championship Feb. 11.