By David Rogers. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — Although the host Alexander Central men’s junior varsity team led Watauga 30-29 at halftime, six 3-pointers by the Pioneers’ Mason Tate in the second half broke things open to help lead the visitors to a convincing, 77-62 win on Jan. 14.
Tate’s game-high 26 points, including eight treys from behind the arc, was joined by 19 points from teammate Cole Lewis. The starting guard not only made five 3-pointers of his own, but was also a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.

In fact, Watauga had three players without a miss from the charity stripe, including Lewis, Lucas Cash (2-for-2) and Caleb Ogden (3-for-3).
Watauga’s scoring came from nine different players, led by Tate and Lewis as the only ones in double figures.
Now 7-2 on the season, Watauga faces Hibriten on Jan. 17 at Lentz Eggers Gym, at home.
SCORING
- WAT – Mason Tate (26)
- WAT – Cole Lewis (19)
- AC – Cooper Oxentine (12)
- AC – Nate Roark (12)
- AC – Bryant Fox (10)
- WAT – Wit Williamson (7)
- WAT – Caleb Ogden (7)
- AC – Luke Collins (7)
- WAT – Colby Whiteside (6)
- AC – Quis Parks (6)
- AC – Graham Hoke (6)
- WAT – Blake Bance (5)
- AC – Carter Payne (5)
- WAT – Chase McInturff (3)
- AC – Jacob Hubbard (3)
- WAT – Bryce Scheffler (2)
- WAT – Lucas Cash (2)
- AC – James Hensen (1)