Waters sparks Chargers

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 13, 2014 11:26 PM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

DJ Waters made his case to become a regular starter in the Wayne Country Day lineup Saturday afternoon.

The freshman guard pumped in 10 of his team-best 18 points in the fourth quarter of the Chargers' 65-56, non-conference win over perennial independent powerhouse United Faith Christian Academy.

Waters had just one point at halftime.

"I don't know what got into DJ, but I hope it stays there," second-year WCDS head coach David Flowers said. "That joker can play, man. It's been happening recently ... last couple of games he's been playing with (the mentality) 'I can do this.'

"That was something when he was playing JV earlier this year that we had to get on him about ... play to your potential and not everybody else's."

United Faith (1-5 overall) pulled to within 45-42 on Benjamin Bennett's 3-pointer with 4:37 remaining in regulation.

Wayne Country Day reeled off seven consecutive points within a 59-second span.

Joel Davis buried a 3-pointer from the left wing off of an assist from Shahim Muhammad.

The fearless 5-foot-9 Waters drained consecutive open-court layups to make it 52-42.

Davis finished with 15 points, including an 8 of 9 effort from the free throw line.

"Offensively, we moved the ball better and looked to attack the rim instead of settle for outside jumpers," Flowers said. "We're still learning to have composure at times and learn that when I have the ball in my hands, I don't have to go 100 miles per hour.

"We're going to get there."

After a series of missed shots and turnovers, Jamal Forde drained a 3-pointer to make it 55-42. The Chargers (5-2) maintained a double-digit lead until the final minute.

Bennett hit a pair of 3-pointers and emerged as the Falcons' top scorer with 18 points.

Senior point guard Xavier Smith contributed 14 points, five steals, three assists, six rebounds and a blocked shot.

It was the first regular-season meeting between the two schools since UFCA eliminated Wayne Country Day during the elite eight portion of the 2007 N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A playoffs. The Chargers claimed a postseason victory over the Falcons in 2000.

"To beat them is a good win, period," Flowers said. "They had some good ballplayers, a little bit of athleticism so it was good for us."