The Batavia JV squad put up a tremendous fight on the road against Wilmington, ultimately falling in a thrilling 59-57 contest that showcased incredible heart and determination from start to finish. Despite the narrow defeat, the team’s record stands at a solid 4-3, and this game demonstrated the kind of competitive spirit and skill that will serve them well throughout the season.

Batavia came out firing in the first quarter, building an early 16-10 lead behind stellar play from Makai Taylor, who opened the scoring with back-to-back free throws and later drained a clutch three-pointer. The second quarter saw some back-and-forth action, with Wilmington mounting a 9-point scoring streak to briefly take the lead before Batavia responded with their own surge. Taylor answered with consecutive buckets to regain the advantage, while John McKeon and Caleb Tobias contributed key baskets during a strong finish that sent the team into halftime with a commanding 30-21 lead.

The second half proved to be a battle of runs, with both teams trading momentum shifts. Wilmington chipped away at the deficit throughout the third quarter, eventually taking a 46-40 lead into the final period. However, Batavia refused to back down, with Taylor leading a spirited comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. The senior guard was absolutely sensational, finishing with a game-high 21 points on efficient 7-13 shooting, including a perfect 2-2 from three-point range and 5-6 from the free-throw line.

The supporting cast stepped up admirably, with Tobias adding 11 points despite some shooting struggles, while both Ethan Becker and McKeon contributed 8 points apiece. McKeon was particularly impressive with his efficiency, going a perfect 3-3 from the field. The game came down to the wire, with Taylor’s late three-pointer cutting the deficit to just two points, but Batavia couldn’t quite complete the comeback. This was the kind of competitive, character-building game that will make this team stronger as the season progresses.