By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — While the Pioneers’ senior forward Wyatt Kohut was a consistent offensive contributor throughout Watauga’s Round 2 matchup vs. the Black Knights of North Davidson on Dec. 29 — scoring a game-high 27 points in the home team’s 63-56 win — sophomore point guard Cade Keller and senior forward Jackson Pryor saved their best for last and proved difference makers.
In foul trouble early, Pryor spent much of the night on the bench but brought the crowd in Lentz Eggers Gym to its feet with a thunderous dunk in the fourth quarter, helping to energize the Pioneers with his only points of the night.
Keller hit a pivotal 3-pointer and four straight free throws in the final stanza, adding to Watauga’s ability to finally gain separation on the scoreboard at the end.
North Davidson came into the game with a gaudy 8-3 record, including some impressive wins and close losses to other 4A contenders. With a slight size disadvantage vs. Watauga, the Black Knights turned to their long distance specialists and they produced nine 3-pointers to offset Kohout’s scoring barrage (that included five 3-pointers of his own).
North Davidson’s Justin Mabe recorded a team-high 13 points but was joined in double figures by Kamauri Manuel and Ryan Forrest with 10 points each.
With Pryor in foul trouble, Watauga head coach Bryson Payne turned to Brady Lindenmuth to take on a bigger role in the paint — and the 6-4 sophomore forward didn’t disappoint.
“With Pryor in foul trouble early, we really needed Brady to step up tonight,” said Payne. “He brought energy in rebounding underneath and his four points in the second quarter helped keep us in the lead at halftime.”
Payne credited the Black Knights for keeping his Pioneers out of rhythm in the transition game.
“This was a battle from start to finish,” said Payne. “North Davidson is a well coached team and we had hard time getting into our preferred up-tempo, transition style of play. But in the fourth quarter, Josiah Railey, Cade Keller and Jackson Pryor really came with energy, Keller with those big free throws and Pryor with that big dunk. They helped us gain the needed separation.”
Next up for Watauga is the final High Country Holiday Classic game for 2023 on Saturday, Dec. 30, vs. Apex Friendship. Now 7-2 overall, including wins over Pine Lakes Prep and Ashe County in the first two rounds of the tournament, Apex Friendship competes in the strong 4A Southeast Wake Conference.
With the win, Watauga improves to 8-2 with only the Apex Friendship tilt, then two more non-conference games vs. West Wilkes and at North Wilkes before starting Northwestern Conference play vs. 4A rival South Caldwell on Jan. 12.
SCORING SUMMARY
- WAT – Wyatt Kohout, 27 points
- NDV – Justin Mabe, 13 points
- WAT – Josiah Railey, 12 points
- WAT – Cade Keller, 11 points
- NDV – Kamauri Manuel, 10 points
- NDV – Ryan Forrest, 10 points
- NDV – Payton Eccles, 8 points
- NDV – Coen Miller, 7 points
- WAT – Maddox Greene, 5 points
- WAT – Brady Lindenmuth, 4 points
- NDV – Grayson Rush, 3 points
- NDV – Caiden Bean, 3 points
- WAT – Nate Gutschall, 2 points
- WAT – Jackson Pryor, 2 points
- NDV – Drew Hege, 2 points
