Sports - January 2004

West fights hard, but loses to Wolves

By JOHN MARK BROOKS, Staff Writer

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The West Lincoln Rebels came out on fire against county rival Lincolnton.

However, they weren’t able to sustain that fire losing 72-53 Friday night.

The Rebels, behind hot shooting from Ryan Huffman, jumped out to an early 8-2 lead.

It appeared everything was going the home team’s way. Chase Caldwell drove the middle of the lane and as he fell down threw a shot up over his head that found the bottom of the net.

The Wolves made it 8-6 with 5:15 left. But the Rebels were quick to answer with a 5-0 run to give them a 13-6 lead with 3:25 left in the first period.

Eric Wilson helped answer the run scoring six first quarter points to knot the contest at 13 with 1:54 left. Huffman, who had eight in the quarter, refused to let his team lose their lead with West ending the quarter with a 17-13 lead.

He credited his teammates and own smart decisions for his points.

“I was just trying to drive in and get the shots I could and I was able to hit them. My teammates did a good job of moving the ball around and the shot was open,” Huffman said.

Lincolnton head coach Bob Cowie was not pleased with his team’s defensive play at the beginning, but did credit West Lincoln.

“We came out in the beginning and our defensive intensity was non-existent. They have people that can shoot the basketball if you just stand and watch them,” he said.

The beginning of the second quarter appeared to be much of the same. The Wolves, though, had something else in mind.  Cowie made a defensive adjustment going from a 2-3 zone to a man-to-man defense which stagnated the Rebels’ offense.

With 6:22 left in the second quarter The Rebels held a slight 21-18 lead. Darren Wilson, who led his club with eight second quarter points, gave the Wolves their first lead of the contest on a three-pointer with 3:05 left in the second.

A Josh Keener layup off a Kyle Snyder feed gave the Wolves a 30-27 lead with 1:45.

The Rebels played hard moving the ball around the perimeter trying to find a good shot. However, the defensive adjustment proved to be the difference in the game.

West was outscored 21-10 in the second quarter giving Lincolnton a 34-27 lead at halftime.

Cowie said their solid defense lead to offensive opportunities.

“When we play defense and get defensive stops then suddenly our offense starts going better,” he said.

Senior guard Eric Wilson felt the win began with solid defense.

“First quarter they came out and hit everything they threw up. In order for us to get back into the game and get the lead we had to step up our defensive intensity,” he said.

A B.J. Holland three-pointer cut the Wolves’ lead to 38-32 with 5:23 left in the third period. A dribbling spin move and assist from Eric Wilson proved ominous for the Rebels putting the Wolves up 44-34 with 3:42 left in the third.

Huffman had seven points in the third quarter, while his opponent was led by Eric Wilson who had five.

 West Lincoln’s Ty Curtis hit a layup with 5:13 left in the final quarter to draw the Rebels within 13 54-41. That was as close as they would get for the remainder of the game.

A Brant Eagle free-throw with 3:53 left in the game put the Wolves back up by 15.

Two reserve players led their teams in the fourth. Wolves’ player Bradley Hunter had six in the game’s final minutes. While Josh Fisher, for West, added seven in the final quarter.

Eric Wilson paced Lincolnton with 22 points. Darren Wilson had a solid game with 16 points. Jordy Jefferies also was in double figures with 11.

Cowie was pleased with two role players as well.

“They both played well and do certain things for us. We need those people to help us. We need to be more than a two-headed monster like we were tonight,” he said.

West was led by Huffman who finished with 15 points. Ty Curtis chipped in with eight points, while Josh Fisher added seven.

The Wolves record improves to 7-3 on the season. West falls to 6-6 on the year.

Lincolnton- Eric Wilson 22, Darren Wilson 16, Jordy Jefferies 11, Josh Keener 8, Kyle Snyder 6, Brant Eagle 1, Kyle Whitesides 1, Bradley Hunter 6.

West Lincoln- B.J. Holland 6, Chase Caldwell 4, Ty Curtis 8, Ryan Huffman 15, Matt Edwards 2, Taylor Woodie 3, Gene Arp 2, Jake Elmore 2, Josh Fisher 7, Matt Cook 2.

Varsity Women’s

The Lady Wolves rolled over the West Lincoln Lady Rebels 50-33.

Head coach David Johnson believes that his team is starting to come around.

“Our defense was very aggressive and we boxed out. We’re beginning to play more as a team and I think it showed tonight,” he said.

Lilly Tallent had her usual strong game leading the Lady Rebels with 15 points. Brittany Watts contributed with five points. Candi Taylor chipped in with three for West.

Leading Lincolnton was Lindsey Sain with 16 points. Shanda Faw had a season and career-high with nine points. Jessie Cline added eight for the Lady Wolves.

Lincolnton’s record improves to 3-7 on the season. West falls to 1-10.

Johnson said his team has bought into the team-first philosophy of late.

“They’re starting to understand the basics of how to play as a team. If we can continue to do that, then I think we can be very good,” he said.

Lincolnton- Andrea Isoler 3, Jessie Cline 8, Lindsey Sain 16, Shanda Faw 9, Santana Edwards 6, Brittany Jones 5, Andrea Smith 1, Ashley Tipton 2.

West Lincoln- Candi Taylor 3, Anna Knight 2, Brittany Watts 5, Sara Elmore 2, Holly Wellman 2, Lilly Tallent 15, Katie Thornburg 2, Helen Dibario 2.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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