J.I. Burton Black Raiders (Norton, VA) backers were pleased Friday as they saw their basketball team trounce the visiting Rye Cove Eagles (Clinchport, VA), 57-25 in a league battle.

The Black Raiders now possess a 5-5 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to Eastside for a Cumberland battle on Tuesday, January 10. J.I. Burton will confront a Spartans team coming off a 53-25 non-league win over Patrick Henry (Glade Spring, VA). The Spartans record now stands at 8-3.

The Eagles (4-6) will now prepare for their battle against Castlewood (Castlewood, VA). The Blue Devils come into the Cumberland battle with a 7-4 record. In their last battle, Castlewood was overwhelmed by Thomas Walker (Ewing, VA), 43-32, in a league battle.