By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A speedy Freedom team may have led (23-20) at the end of the first quarter on Feb. 13 in Lentz-Eggers Gym, but once host Watauga gained the lead in the second period the Pioneers never looked back in the convincing, 83-66 win over the Patriots.
Four Watauga starters posted double figures in scoring, led by Josiah Railey’s 21 points that included 4-for-4 shooting from the charity stripe. Point guard Cade Keller and forward Wyatt Kohout each contributed 17 points, while Jackson Pryor shook off early foul trouble that cost him court time to add 13 points on the night.
Kohout tallied three 3-pointers in the second half, each one a dagger in the hearts of the Patriots’ thoughts of a comeback. Keller and Railey were consistent throughout the contest.
Freedom’s Kobe Johnson poured in a game high 23 points thanks to a big first half when he tallied 17 points. The Pioneers’ defensive adjustments held Johnson to just six points in the second half.
With the win, Watauga (8-1 in conference, 18-5 overall) remained No. 1 in the Northwestern Conference standings, a mere half game ahead of second place South Caldwell (7-1, 16-6). The Pioneers look to claim sole possession of the regular season title on Friday, Feb. 16, when the travel to West Jefferson to face Ashe County (3-5, 8-14). In the season’s earlier game, on Jan. 26, the Pioneers dismantled the Huskies, 78-38, but this regional rivalry has produced upsets in the past.
SCORING SUMMARY
- FDM – Kobe Johnson (23 points)
- WAT – Josiah Railey (21)
- WAT – Cade Keller (17)
- WAT – Wyatt Kohout (17)
- WAT – Jackson Pryor (13)
- FDM – Elijah Davidson (13)
- FDM – King Johnson (12)
- WAT – Maddox Greene (9)
- FDM – Gavin McNaughton (8)
- WAT – Jackson Love (6)
- FDM – Braxton King (6)
- FDM – Amare Williams (3)
- FDM – Max Taylor (1)
