By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — This year, the Watauga men’s basketball team didn’t mess around, scoring early and often in marching out to a decisive win over visiting Shelby, 73-56, in Lentz Eggers Gym.
BONUS PHOTOS at bottom of article. Click any image for slideshow mode
A year ago, the Pioneers rallied from a 21-point second half deficit to defeat the Golden Lions on Shelby’s home court. Not this time. The Pioneers gained separation by the end of the first quarter, 20-13, then kept the proverbial “pedal to the medal” throughout the early season, non-conference contest.
Watauga’s up-tempo style kept Shelby off-balance and often reeling. With possession, the Pioneers whipped the ball around until they found an open teammate — and often it was senior Wyatt Kohout finding the open shot, both inside as well as from long distance. His game-high 28 points included four 3-pointers to go along with a dizzying array of inside layups, often through traffic.
Watching the Pioneers bring the ball downcourt in transition spurred memories of the Parkway middle school backcourt of four years ago, with guards Cade Keller and Maddox Greene the driving forces in that backcourt. Keller, a sophomore, and Greene, a junior, are still an explosive tandem in getting the ball into space and attacking the basket. On this night, Greene was one of only three Pioneers in double figures, with 13 points. Josiah Railey pushed the action down the lane for 12 points.
The Golden Lions’ Dominique Downs was Shelby’s leading scorer, with 11 points, but they had widespread contributions from Denorris Gist (9 points), Drew Hollifield (8), Santana London (8), and Grady Morgan (9) to keep the visitors within reach.
After the game, assistant coach Andrew Wilson, subbing at the helm for Bryson Payne (who welcomed a new baby into the family earlier in the day), listed three primary reasons for the outcome.
“We kept them off the offensive glass, preventing them from getting second chance points,” Wilson said. “They also had a difficult time in keeping up with our play in transition. And we executed, with few turnovers.”
Now 6-2 on the young season, the Pioneers host three home games on consecutive days beginning with Johnson County (Mountain City, Tenn.) on Dec. 28, North Davidson on Dec. 29, and Apex Friendship on Dec. 30, all three contests scheduled to tipoff at 7 p.m.
KEY PERFORMERS
- WAT – Wyatt Kohout: 28 points
- WAT – Maddox Greene: 13 points
- WAT – Josiah Railey: 12 points
- SHL – Dominique Downs: 11 points
- SHL – Denorris Gist: 9 points
- SHL – Grady Morgan: 9 points
- SHL – Drew Hollifield: 8 points
- SHL – Santana London: 8 points
- WAT – Nate Gutschall: 6 points
- WAT – Cade Keller: 5 points
- WAT – Seth Greene: 4 points
- WAT – Jackson Love: 3 points
- WAT – Brady Lindenmuth: 2 points
BONUS PHOTOS
