By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — While the Watauga vs. North Wilkes women’s game on Dec. 7 was a nail biter, the varsity men’s finale was anything but. The Pioneers led from start to finish, in dominating fashion before pulling off an 89-48 non-conference victory at Lentz Eggers Gym.
The Pioneer starters got quite a bit of rest, especially in the second half, but it hardly mattered who was on the court for Watauga. All 14 rostered varsity Pioneers tested their Air Jordans on the hardwoods and 13 of them scored.
Junior guard Cade Keller picked up right where he left off the night before when he scored 30 points against the Avery County Vikings. Against the North Wilkes Vikings, he tallied 15 of his game-high 17 points in just the first quarter, including three 3-pointers during the opening stanza. With the Pioneers leading 47-20 by intermission, Keller did not play in the second half.
Eli Bishop came off the bench to replace Keller’s firepower in the second half, recording nine points in the third quarter and finishing the game with 11.
Pioneer head coach Bryson Payne apparently found three more bench players, all big forwards, capable of hitting from long distance. Rarely used J T Cook brought down the house in the closing quarter with three successful “makes” from beyond the arc, while Paul Taylor added two 3-pointers and Landon Smith another “trey.”
Now 3-0 to start the young 2024-25 campaign, the Pioneers will put that undefeated recorded at risk when they travel to West Caldwell (3-1) on Dec. 10, then to Maiden on Dec. 14.
SCORING SUMMARY
- WAT – Cade Keller – 17
- NW – Tyler Sturgeon – 16
- WAT – Jackson Love – 11
- WAT – Josiah Railey – 10
- WAT – J T Cook – 9
- NW – Miles Berrier – 9
- NW – Trey Johnson – 8
- WAT – Paul Taylor – 6
- WAT – Landon Smith – 5
- WAT – Maddox Greene – 5
- WAT – Wit Williamson – 4
- WAT – Jace Blocker – 4
- WAT – Seth Greene – 4
- NW – Cam White – 4
- NW – Trey Hutchinson – 4
- NW – Will Rhoades – 4
- NW – Eli Bare -3
- WAT – Brady Lindenmuth – 2
- WAT – Logan Greene – 1
