By David Rogers. LENOIR, N.C. — Three Watauga players scored in double figures on Feb. 7, as the Pioneers used a dominating fourth quarter to pull away from Hibriten for a 44-29 win.
Watauga guard Stephanie Mendez was consistent throughout the four periods in recording a game-high 16 points, while Charlie Mattox came alive in the final stanza to pour in six of her 11 points on the night. Izzy Mohr’s offensive production in the first and third quarters propelled her to 12 points for the game.
In the final analysis, though, it was the Pioneers’ suffocating defense in the fourth quarter that won the day. Clinging to a tenuous, 29-27 advantage at the end of the third quarter, Watauga allowed the Panthers to score only two points in the final period.
Hibriten was led by Makenzie Burgess’ 10 points and Matty Walker’s seven points.
Watauga is now 10-3 on the season, with two of those losses coming at the hands of Alexander Central and the other on the road against Ashe County. The Pioneers will close out the regular season against the Huskies on Feb. 14, but first they will have to deal with Freedom, in Morganton, on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
SCORING
- WAT – Steph Mendez (16 points)
- WAT – Izzy Mohr (12)
- WAT – Charlie Mattox (11)
- HIB – Melanie Burgess (10)
- HIB – Matty Walker (7)
- HIB – Skye Lail (5)
- WAT – Madison Millsaps (3)
- HIB – Jaden Smith (3)
- HIB – Leah Watson (3)
- WAT – Presli Wood (2)
- HIB – Makenzie Collins (1)
