By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Battling back from a 13-point deficit at halftime to just two points with 3:04 left to play in the fourth quarter was not quite enough for Watauga in Round 3 of the High Country Holiday Classic, losing to Apex Friendship, 58-47, in the final game of the tournament.
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE (click any image for slideshow mode)
The visiting Patriots’ roster includes five players 6-3 or taller, including the biggest of the bigs, 6-6 senior center/forward Chuks Ezeonu, named most valuable player of the tournament after the game. Ezeonu scored 12 points for Apex Friendship, but had a greater impact on the outcome with his rebounding and blocked shots.
Also in double figures for the Patriots were David Major (14 points) and Jake Mattachione (14).
Watauga’s Josiah Railey poured in a game-high 16 points but only Jackson Pryor (10) also made double figures for the tourney hosts.
Now 8-3 on the young season, Watauga hosts West Wilkes on Jan. 3 (6:15 p.m. tipoff), then travels to North Wilkes on Jan. 5 (8:30 p.m. tipoff) before opening Northwestern Conference play vs. 4A rival South Caldwell on Jan. 12 (8 p.m.) at Lentz Eggers Gym.
SCORING SUMMARY
- WAT – Josiah Railey, 16 points
- APF – David Major, 14 points
- APF – Jake Mattachione, 14 points
- APF – Chuks Ezeonu, 12 points
- WAT – Jackson Pryor, 10 points
- APF – Kendall Lanier, 9 points
- WAT – Cade Keller, 6 points
- WAT – Maddox Greene, 6 points
- WAT – Wyatt Kohout, 5 points
- WAT – Brady Lindenmuth, 4 points
- APF – Jackson Green, 4 points
- APF – David Lozada, 3 points
- APF – Tristan Kent, 2 points
BONUS PHOTOS (click any image for slideshow mode)
