Championship Matchup

7th Grade

Riverwatch (42) vs Little Mill (50)

2025-26 Boys Basketball

7th Grade Championship Review

Quarterfinals & Semifinals

Tested but Still Unbeaten

The 2025–26 7th grade boys basketball season belonged to Little Mill. The Mustangs capped a perfect 13–0 season on Wednesday night, claiming the championship trophy — but the postseason tested them in ways the regular season rarely did.

All three playoff games were far more competitive than Little Mill’s typically dominant regular-season performances.

In the first round against Piney Grove, the Mustangs led by eleven points at halftime — one of their smaller halftime leads of the year — and looked slightly out of rhythm after an eight-day layoff. That changed quickly in the second half. Little Mill came out sharp, pushed the tempo, and pulled away for a 32-point win. Still, Piney Grove managed one of the higher scoring totals against the Mustangs to that point in the season.

The semifinals brought a matchup with Liberty, the team that had scored the most points against Little Mill during the regular season (31). This time, the Mustangs flipped the script defensively, holding the Patriots to just 20 points — but offense didn’t come easily either. Little Mill was limited to a season-low 37 points. It was tight early, with the Mustangs holding a narrow 11–6 halftime lead, before another strong second half allowed them to pull away and secure their spot in the finals.

Championship

Perfection

The championship game looked much more like those playoff battles than Little Mill’s earlier meeting with Riverwatch. Back in the fourth game of the season, the Mustangs had stunned the league with a 56-point win over the Panthers, announcing themselves as a special group after already beating Vickery Creek, North Forsyth, and South Forsyth. From that point on, the rest of the county knew Little Mill was the team to beat.

Riverwatch (10–3) proved in the final that they were more than capable of rising to the challenge. Outside of their earlier loss to Little Mill, their only other defeat came at North Forsyth, and they entered the championship on a six-game winning streak. From the opening tip, the Panthers showed they would not back down.

Little Mill’s balanced scoring attack showed up immediately. That depth is what made the Mustangs so hard to defend all season — nearly every player on the floor could contribute. Four Mustangs scored in the first quarter, led by league standout Liam Brundidge. Riverwatch relied heavily on DJ Hwang early, as he scored three baskets and accounted for seven of the Panthers’ points, with only one other teammate scoring in the period.

The second quarter brought more offense on both sides. Each team knocked down three 3-pointers, keeping the pace lively. Brundidge again led Little Mill, scoring five points in the quarter as four different Mustangs found the scoreboard. For Riverwatch, Charlie Blanchard caught fire from deep, hitting two 3-pointers and totaling 10 points in the period to keep the Panthers within striking distance at halftime.

Little Mill began to create some separation coming out of the break. The Mustangs got key scoring from Jack Styles, who poured in six third-quarter points, and Liam Brundidge, who added five. Their ability to get production from multiple players once again proved critical.

Riverwatch leaned heavily on DJ Hwang to keep pace. He scored all 10 of the Panthers’ points in the quarter, attacking from the perimeter and finishing tough looks to prevent the game from slipping away. Even so, Little Mill slowly gained control, stretching a one-point halftime edge into a four-point lead heading into the final stanza.

For the first time all season, the Mustangs were truly tested in the fourth quarter — and they responded like champions.

Andrew Vanderhoff took over down the stretch, delivering a huge period with nine points. He knocked down key baskets and calmly converted crucial free throws in the closing moments to help Little Mill maintain its advantage. While Riverwatch showed balance — with three different players scoring three points in the quarter — they could never quite get over the hump.

Vanderhoff’s late scoring surge pushed him to a team-high 15 points. Brundidge followed with 14, while Styles added 10 and Colt McKinney chipped in eight, highlighting once again the Mustangs’ depth and balance.

Hwang led all scorers with a game-high 23 points, including five 3-pointers, and Charlie Blanchard added 13 for Riverwatch in a strong effort that kept the championship game competitive from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

Balanced and Brilliant: Mustangs Run the Table 

When the final horn sounded, the scoreboard confirmed what the season had been building toward since opening night: a perfect 13–0 record and a championship trophy for Little Mill.

What made this title run special wasn’t just the wins — it was how complete this team was. They could overwhelm opponents with scoring, lock them down defensively, or grind out tough playoff-style games like they did in all three postseason matchups. From Brundidge’s steady leadership to a deep roster where seemingly everyone could step up, the Mustangs proved they were more than just talented — they were a true team.

In a season full of strong squads across the county, Little Mill set the standard from start to finish, and they’ll be remembered as one of the most dominant 7th grade groups the league has ever seen.