Cyrus Murray (12) works to advance the ball against the Hedgesville pressure. David Pennock

SHENANDOAH JUNCTION — After consecutive losses at home to Musselman and Millbrook, the Jefferson boys basketball team went on a winning streak that reached four games by taming South Hagerstown (65-61), Spring Mills (60-57), Sherando (74-65) and Washington (70-63) in a series of home games.

The four-game string of successes was eventually broken in a road game at Martinsburg.

The twice-beaten Bulldogs ran out to a 37-point halftime lead with a quickened pace that included dunks and inside scoring. The count at halftime was 54-17 before the Bulldogs finished off the night with an 89-49 win on their home floor.

Three nights later, the Cougars traveled to Hedgesville. The Eagles had only three losses but were taxed by the Cougars in a tight game that featured lead changes and ties through three quarters.

In the fourth period, the homestanding Eagles managed to get a working lead and then padded it in the last few minutes with successful free throw shooting to post a 64-49 win.

Jefferson's Will Shively (20) was charged with an foul on this drive to the basket in the second half of the loss at Hedgesville. David Pennock

Following the twin losses to Martinsburg and Hedgesville, the Cougars stood at 9-7 with just six regular season games remaining.

Jefferson, which had been plagued by several injuries, attempted to regroup behind the late-season play of Jayden Wilkie, William Shively, Jaden Butts, Ahmad Lesesne, Cyrus Murray, Daion Taylor and Cyrus Murray.

Two of the remaining games were Sectional duels with Hampshire (tonight at Jefferson) and Washington (on Feb. 21 at Washington).

Next Monday, the Cougars travel to Musselman and then on Tuesday, they are at Spring Mills.

The remaining two games are home dates in Shenandoah Junction on Feb. 18 versus Hedgesville and then a make-up game on Feb. 25 at home versus Martinsburg.