By David Rogers. MORGANTON, N.C. — A trio of Pioneer seniors combined for 19 points in the fourth quarter, leading Watauga to a comeback rally and a thrilling, 58-53 win over the host Freedom Patriots on Feb. 12.
With Freedom defending home court and the Patriot faithful loudly behind them, it was a very different game than the dominating, 83-63 win by Watauga on Jan. 22 in Lentz Eggers Gym.
Freedom led by eight points at the end of the third quarter, 45-37, and seemed to be breaking things open early, jumping to an 11-point lead senior point guard Peyton Caldwell netted a 3-pointer in the opening minute of the final stanza.
But stifling defense by the Pioneers created forced shots and turnovers by the Patriots. Meanwhile, Watauga capitalized on the turnovers at the other end.
Freedom’s Caldwell, who was the only Patriot to score in the decisive fourth quarter, tallied a game-high 36 points as the Morganton girls’ offensive seemed to run through Patriot veteran.
It just wasn’t enough against the deeper Watauga roster. Matheson poured in a team-high 21 points for Watauga, with Sears adding 15 and Darner 12. Nine of Darner’s dozen points came in the fourth quarter.
Watauga (16-5 overall, 8-1 in Northwestern Conference) closes out the regular season on Feb. 14, at home vs. High Country rival, Ashe County (9-13, 0-9). With a win, the Pioneers will clinch at least a share of the conference regular season title for the fourth straight season.
KEY PERFORMERS
- WAT – Julie Matheson: 21 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
- WAT – Kate Sears: 15 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 6 steals, 2 blocked shots
- WAT – Kaitlyn Darner: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
- WAT – Blair Haines: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
- FRE – Peyton Caldwell: 36 points, including 10-11 free throws, four 3-pointers
