By David Rogers. CLEMMONS, N.C. — Trailing by seven points late in the third quarter — in hostile territory — didn’t faze visiting Watauga on March 4. The Pioneers shrugged off the deficit, clamped down defensively and outscored host West Forsyth in the final stanza en route to a thrilling, 62-59, “Sweet 16” NCHSAA 4A Men’s Basketball Championship tournament win.
The No. 7 seeded Pioneers will go on the road again March 7, to Huntersville for an Elite 8 matchup against North Mecklenburg.
Taking care of business
Sometimes it is the little things that make a difference in basketball game outcomes, like making or missing free throws. Combined with a disruptive defensive effort by Watauga that limited the Titans to just 10 points in the fourth quarter, West Forsyth going a combined 2-for-6 from the charity stripe in the final stanza was instead a “gift” for Watauga.
A strong inside game by Watauga forward Jace Blocker kept the Pioneers within striking distance early on, even if trailing. Blocker ended up tying with guard Cade Keller for team-high and game-high scoring honors, with 18 points, but 14 of those points came in the first half when only senior guard Josiah Railey was also consistently finding the hoop. Railey finished with 16 points, 10 of them in the first half.
The Pioneers flipped the game script in the second half. The team’s leading scorer, Keller, was held in check by the Titans before intermission. He only managed two points prior to halftime thanks largely to the defensive attention from West Forsyth on the Pioneers’ high-scoring junior combination guard. Whatever adjustments made by Watauga’s coaching staff when the fans were refilling their popcorn buckets certainly worked, though, because Keller exploded for 16 of his tied-for-game-high 18 points in the third (9 points) and fourth (7) quarters.
Meanwhile, the versatile Railey continued his consistent contributions and junior forward Brady Lindenmuth came off the bench to score five points in the second half, four of them in the critical fourth quarter. Not necessarily known for his accuracy from the free throw line, the big man came through in the clutch, hitting 3-of-5 from the charity stripe in the second half, including 2-of-3 in the final period.
West Forsyth senior small forward Cale Lloyd tied with Watauga’s Keller and Blocker for game-high scoring honors, at 18 points. He nailed four 3-pointers along the way to lead the Titans’ offensive production. Jacari Brim (15 points) and Kamuari Manuel (12) also got into double figures.
Of note, Watauga’s Railey recorded another double-double in the game, with 10 rebounds to go with his 16 points.
Now 21-7, Watauga travels to Huntersville to face a 27-3 North Mecklenburg team that advanced with a convincing, 94-57 win over Weddington. In Round 1, the No. 3 seeded Vikings defeated Mallard Creek, 68-51, and in Round 2 thumped Davie, 90-50.
SCORING SUMMARY
- WAT – Cade Keller (18 points)
- WAT – Jace Blocker (18)
- WF – Cale Lloyd (18)
- WAT – Josiah Railey (16)
- WF – Jacari Brim (15)
- WF – Kamuari Manuel (12)
- WF – Jordan Tate (9)
- WAT – Brady Lindenmuth (5)
- WAT – Maddox Greene (5)
- WF – Max Stillman (3)
- WF – Princeton Scott (2)
