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HomeHigh SchoolThis time, Watauga finishes off Alexander Central, 55-43

This time, Watauga finishes off Alexander Central, 55-43

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A strong rebounding performance by Watauga — and punishing defense — marked the Feb. 4 men’s basketball game between the Pioneers and visiting Alexander Central. In front of a packed Lentz Eggers Gym, Watauga throttled back the Cougars, 55-43.

The Pioneers’ senior forward Landon Smith drew the assignment of guarding AC’s all-everything guard Jayon Connor for most of the night. While the 6-5 junior guard scored almost 56 percent of Alexander Central’s 43 points, pouring in 24, the 6-4 Smith’s disruptive effort helped keep Connor somewhat neutralized and below his season averages in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals.

A massive student section helped propel Watauga to a convincing, 55-43 win over Alexander Central on Feb. 4. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

On the other end of the court, Smith neared double figures in scoring a season-high 9 points, adding to the featured scoring efforts of Jace Blocker (16 points), Josiah Railey (a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds) and Cade Keller (13 points).

Keller has been Watauga’s leading scorer for most of the 2024-25 season and Alexander Central was clearly aware of that, sometimes double-teaming the junior guard on the perimeter. But the combo threat (point guard and shooting guard) used the opportunity to find open teammates and recorded an impressive stat line regardless: 13 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot. He hit on 5-of-6 free throws, mostly in the fourth quarter as the Cougars were desperately forced to foul in an effort to get the ball back.

It was Coaches vs. Cancer Night at Lentz Eggers Gym on Feb. 4, as Watauga hosted Alexander Central. Photographic image by David Rogers

The 55 points was Watauga’s lowest scoring output of the 2024-25 season (averaging 74 points), but the Pioneers’ disruptive defense allowed the team to post its fourth straight win at home, pushing the season’s overall record to 14-6, 5-2 in Northwestern Conference play. Now in a 3-way tie with South Caldwell and Freedom for first place in the league standings, Watauga needs to “win out” in the regular season to secure a high seeding and home court advantage in the 4A state playoffs.

Next up: at Hibriten on Friday, Feb. 7. Watauga defeated the young Panthers, 84-58, but Hibriten, under first year head coach and former App State star Ronshad Shabazz, will surely be looking to defend its home court and exact a measure of revenge.

Josiah Railey (13, in foreground) had a lot of help behind him for this 3-point shot vs. Alexander Central on Feb. 4. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

SELECTED TEAM STATS

  • Field Goal%: WAT 50% (20-40), AC 46.2% (18-39)
  • 3-Point%: WAT 28.6% (4-14), AC 28.6% (4-14)
  • Free Throw%: WAT 73.3% (11-15), AC 42.9% (3-7)
  • Points in Paint: WAT 28, AC 24
  • Points off Turnovers: WAT 17, AC 12
  • 2nd Chance Points: WAT 7, AC 0
  • Fast Break Points: WAT 6, AC 6
  • Bench Points: WAT 9, AC 0

KEY PERFORMERS

  • AC – Jayon Connor: 24 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 assist
  • WAT – Jace Blocker: 16 points, 4 rebounds
  • WAT – Josiah Railey: 11 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
  • WAT – Cade Keller: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
  • WAT – Landon Smith: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
  • AC – Lukson Green: 5 assists, 3 steals
  • AC – Koa Mikeal: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
  • WAT – Jackson Love: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
  • AC – Jaheim Redmond: 5 assists, 1 block
  • AC – Garison Millsaps: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
  • WAT – Maddox Greene: 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals

 

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