By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Even though the final score may have been lopsided, the Dec. 27 high school varsity basketball tilt between Watauga and Saluda (SC) may well prove to be one of the most entertaining of the year: fast-paced, high pressure defense, and plenty of offensive action with the Pioneers earning the 91-61 win in the first round of the 2025 Holiday Classic at Lentz Eggers Gym.
This was a game featuring focal point players on both sides, offensively. Watauga’s Cade Keller poured in a game-high 45 points on the night, almost half of the Pioneers’ total, while Saluda’s C.J. Springs countered with a team-high 36 points — more than half of the Tigers’ offensive output.
There were two key difference-makers:[1] Keller had a more productive supporting cast and [2] the Pioneers’ pesky defensive play, particularly in the second half.
Watauga’s secondary offensive output came from Jackson Love’s 17 points, as well as key contributions from Bowen Mayo (7) and Bryce Scheffler (6).
The Pioneers’ defense produced a whopping 15 steals, including Brady Lindenmuth (4), Mayo (3) and two each by Wit Williamson and Evan Burroughs.
Defensively, the Pioneers were also active on the boards, with a team total of 50 rebounds, 33 of which were on the defensive end to deny the Tigers of second chance opportunities. Love pulled down a leading nine rebounds, with a trio of Pioneers cleaning the glass seven times each, including Williamson, Keller and Burroughs. Scheffler and Lindenmuth added 6 and 5 rebounds, respectively.
If there was a dark spot on Watauga’s team performance against Saluda, it was the number of turnovers (18), although that might be expected in such a fast-paced contest. Nonetheless, an overall pleased Pioneer head coach Bryson Payne said later, “We have to clean those up.”
Next up for Watauga is a second round matchup in the winner’s bracket, a Dec. 29 game vs. Apex Friendship, which ran past South Iredell, 88-53, in the first round. Both teams are undefeated in the young, 2025-26 season, AF at 12-0 and the Pioneers at 6-0. Tipoff in Lentz Eggers Gym is slated for 6:30 p.m.
KEY PERFORMERS
- WAT – Cade Keller: 45 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 deflections
- WAT – Jackson Love: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal
- WAT – Bowen Mayo: 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 2 deflections
- WAT – Bryce Scheffler: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
- WAT – Wit Williamson: 5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 deflections
- WAT – Jaden McInnis: 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal
- WAT – Evan Burroughs: 3 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 deflection
- WAT – Eli Bishop: 2 points, 2 rebounds
- WAT – Cole Lewis: 2 points, 2 rebounds
- WAT – Brady Lindenmuth: 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 1 deflection
- WAT – Mason Tate: 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 blocks
BONUS PHOTOS
