WCDS boys fail to stick to gameplan, fall to Patriots

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 24, 2015 11:27 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

The gameplan looked solid for one half.

Wayne Country Day worked the ball patiently against an extended 3-2 zone, took the open shots and entered halftime with a three-point lead.

Freedom Christian switched tactics in the second half.

The Patriots employed a man-to-man defense, changed the tempo and benefited from a crucial fourth-quarter, 10-point swing -- that included two technical fouls -- to defeat the Chargers, 84-68, on Friday evening.

"It's all about sticking to gameplans and the first half, we did," WCDS head coach David Flowers said. "We did what we wanted to do, we slowed the ball down and got the good shots. We were smart on defense as well."

The Chargers (13-8 overall) trailed by one point after the first period and used a 12-0 run to help build a three-point advantage at the break. Jamal Forde, who led all scorers with 23 points, buried a trio of uncontested 3-pointers and drained six for the night overall.

Then came the second half.

FCA stayed within striking distance and grabbed command of the game with an 8-0 run. The Chargers' 34-31 lead quickly turned into a 39-34 deficit on consecutive 3-pointers from Patriots guard Gunner Hardarson.

Hardarson also hit six 3s for the game.

"They switched to man-to-man, and I told the guys that's fine for us because they have a hard time matching up with us and we have a tough time matching up with them," said Flowers, whose team made just two third-quarter field goals.

"(But) there were four possessions in a row where we came down and took a first-pass shot, a no-pass shot and did things our own way instead of sticking with the gameplan. The execution right there got us."

The Patriots led 50-39 after three quarters.

Nearly midway through the final period, Thank God Avar drove to the basket, drew a foul and completed the old-fashioned three-point play. As Avar received congratulations from his teammates, an official assessed two technical fouls on the Chargers -- one for dissension and the other for a player who slammed the ball on the court in frustration after fouling Avar.

FCA converted all four free throws and Hardarson added salt to the wound with his final 3-pointer of the night. A five-point deficit, aided by the 10-point swing, turned into a difficult mountain for WCDSto climb the remainder of the contest.

"I completely disagree with the calls that were made, the and-one I will give you that," said Flowers, who expressed his discontent over the referee's questionable decision making. "That's a game-changer that I wished never happen. You take away the four free throws and the 3, that's seven points right there ... will give you the and-one because you earned that.

"You didn't earn the other seven."

Wayne Country Day climbed to within 70-61, but could get no closer. The Patriots sealed the outcome with a 22 of 39 effort at the free throw line, including 24 attempts in the final eight minutes.

WCDS shot 13 of 18 at the charity stripe.

Victor Miller and Kris Cooley added 14 and 12 points, respectively, as the Chargers drained 13 three-pointers on the night. DJ Waters contributed 11 points.