The boys from Midway and Union middle schools started off slow in their basketball game Wednesday, scoring only 6 points between them in the first quarter alone. But, by third quarter’s end, the steam had picked up, particularly by the Raiders who came away with the 25-15 win.

Defense, said coach Joshua Bullard, was the real key to the game.

“Neither of us started off very fast,” Bullard acknowledged. “We seemed to be stalled, somehow, but we came out and played a lot harder after the half and the score reflects that.”

Union took the early 4-2 lead, but by intermission Midway had been able to advance their score and head into the break up by 2 points, 8-6.

Then, in the second half, Midway poured on the defense and, at the same time, found more opportunities to score. But Union held on, going into the final frame ahead 15-13.

It was in the fourth that the defense really tightened up, with Midway holding the Spartans to only 2 more points while amassing another 10 of their own.

“Our defense was the best we’ve played all year,” Bullard pointed out. “We still have area we need to work on, but we’re getting there.

Austin Raynor led scoring for the Midway team with 12 points. Michael Kramer had 5 points; Griffin Williams, 3; and Austin Smith, 3.

Raider Octavius Sankey, the coach said, played an outstanding defensive game.

Midway’s record moves to 1-2 overall. They return to the court on Jan. 10 for a game against the undefeated Sampson Middle boys.