By By Matthew Nascone
It may not have been a district game, but Northview Chiefs head coach Leonard White was glad to get a win Monday night against Escambia Charter School. The Chiefs came away with a 66-55 victory.
"We did not play how we are capable of playing," White said. "We played to the other team's ability and we did not show up, but a win is a win."
Injuries also plagued the Chiefs in the game, as John Donaldson did not play because of a sprained ankle, Vincent Longmire twisted his ankle in the third quarter, Nakita Myles played through a strained back and Tarus Thomas recently returned from an injury.
"I was happy to get out of there with a win," White said. "And we had to go into overtime to beat them."
The game was winding down and NHS had a three-point lead with 1:20 left on the clock, but a turnover by the Chiefs turned into a game-tying shot at the buzzer for Escambia and the game went into the extra frame.
White said the team took control in the overtime period and the offensive effort was kicked up a notch.
Myles led the Chiefs with 19 points.
The Chiefs open their district tournament as the No. 3 seed and will face Walton in the first round Feb. 6 in Pensacola at Catholic High School.
"I hope we can manage to win that first game in the district tournament," White said. "And we just have to focus on defense and that is the key to success for this team."
But before the Chiefs open the district tournament they travel back to face Escambia Charter this Friday.