By James J. Lidington

Isle of Wight Academy

Colby Williams scored 22 points as Isle of Wight Academy dominated Brunswick Academy 51-22 Friday night in the Chargers season opener.

Williams, a senior guard, was the only IWA (1-0) player in double figures as Coach Sascha Stafford all but emptied his bench, with nine of those scoring. Brunswick (0-2) was led by Trey Mitchell’s 8 points.

The home-standing Vikings trailed by only 5 points, 14-9, after a quarter, but were hobbled by a scoreless second period in which IWA scored 17 points, including 7 — and two three-pointers, by Williams.

The Isle of Wight girls team got the evening started with a tight 36-32 win over the Vikings. Williams’ sister Lily led the way, also with 22 points.

IWA announced earlier this year it was leaving the Metropolitan Athletic Conference and becoming a full-time member of the Virginia Colonial Conference, of which Brunswick has been a longtime member.

The Chargers had been charter members of the Virginia Colonial Conference since its inception, dating back when the conference was named the Virginia Commonwealth Conference. Before that, IWA was a member of the Virginia Academies Athletic Conference as far back as the 1970s.

The school is playing abbreviated winter sports seasons through January. Initial plans called for a transition to fall sports — girls volleyball and football — in February, ending with spring sports — co-ed soccer, baseball, golf and softball — starting in late March or early April, depending on state health directives relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-ed cross country, normally a fall sport, may also be added, officials said.

Other current conference members are: Amelia Academy, Banner Christian School, Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot, Kenston Forest School, Richmond Christian School, Southampton Academy and Tidewater Academy.

The Charger squads return to action following the holiday break. The boys and girls teams are set to host Banner Christian on Jan. 5 in Jester Gym and travel to Tidewater Academy on Jan. 8.

On the track

Runners Lorraine Upton, Brett Landen and Hannah Edwards, all students at IWA, competed in the Virginia Beach Club Opener meet Dec. 6 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

Upton finished 31st in the girls’ 2-Mile Run for 15- to 18-year-olds with a time of 12:50; Edwards finished 66th in the 400-Meter Dash and 36th in the 800-meter run, both in that same division. Landen completed the 1-Mile Run in 5:50.