By JONATHAN GREENE
For the Daily Telegraph
BRUSHFORK — The Bluefield Beavers knew they had a big showdown with Greenbrier East coming. They didn’t allow River View to be a stumbling block.
The Beavers raced out to a 26-0 lead before the Raiders scored as they cruised to an 85-19 victory on Thursday evening at the Brushfork Armory.
“Most importantly we didn’t get anyone hurt and everyone got to play,” Bluefield head coach Buster Large said. “We’ve got such a big game [Friday] at Greenbrier East. We had every intention of playing our kids the first two quarters, but it got so far out of hand. We try to show a lot of sportsmanship by example.
“I know they’re having a down year and I’ve never been one to try to beat someone as bad as you could. I think every one here respected that and knew our decision. …I would have liked to kept our starters in more, but due to the score, we felt like we should rest with tomorrow’s game.”
Bluefield’s starters were pulled less than two minutes into the second quarter as they led 32-4. They did not return as the Beavers bench completed the game and played well. Dakota Smalls led the way with 19 s.”
The Beavers outscored River View 26-3 in the third quarter. Their lone points came off a three by Clevinger.
Smalls hit two three’s and Woodrum scored nine of his 13 points in the quarter. Ponder added two fastbreak scores.
The lead grew to as many as 67 points the down stretch.
Eades finished with 11 points in limited action. Edwards had six points and six rebounds. Yost added seven points and Coppola had four points and seven boards.
Clevinger led River View with five points. Morgan, Dakota Collins and Jordan Wilson each had four points.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board and see what we can do,” Smith said. “We’ve got Mount View next so it’s same kind of team and style. At least tonight, we got against practice against. We’ll see if it helps us any.”
The Raiders (2-14) host Mount View tonight then play James Monroe on Saturday as part of a girls-boys doubleheader.
The Beavers (15-1) travel to top-5 ranked Greenbrier East (16-1) tonight. The Spartans are coming off a 70-59 victory over Mussleman in the Big Atlantic Classic AAA consolation game. They lost to Point Pleasant in the opener.
Bluefield took home the Big Atlantic Classic AA crown and is riding a No. 1 AP ranking and 13-game winning streak.
“I feel like it will be the toughest game we’ve had probably in the past three or four years,” Large said. “They’re extremely talented. They have two Division I players – the 6-11 center and Oak Hill transfer Rondale Watson. I understand both are being heavily recruited by a lot of Division I schools.
“It’s huge a challenge for us. It’s going to be a big atmosphere playing in front of a packed house. They feel like there won’t be a seat available. Games like that are going to make us better down the road.”
Large added, “That was one of my goals last year was to try to secure a real good AAA team on the schedule so that we can try to get better against good competition. We’ve played a rugged schedule this year, but tomorrow night will be our biggest challenge.”

At Brushfork Armory
RIVER VIEW (2-14)
Tony Clevinger 5, Taylor Dehaven 2, Zach Morgan 4, Dakota Collins 4, Jordan Wilson 4. Totals- 9 0-5 19.
BLUEFIELD (15-1)
Dakota Smalls 19, D.J. Edwards 6, Anthony Eades 11, Lykel Collier 4, Trevor Mullins 5, Michael Yost 7, Jordan Ponder 13, David Woodrum 3, Corey Coppola 4, Mathew Woodrum 13. Totals- 33 16-25 85.
River View..............................4 4 3 8 – 19
Bluefield...............................18 13 26 28 – 85
3 pt field goals: RV 1 (Clevinger), BLU 4 (Smalls 2, Eades, Yost).