SB/MOPWC: WCDS boys knock off Southern Wayne

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on January 1, 2016 1:48 PM

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By BRANDON DAVIS

bdavis@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- Just one word explains Wednesday's basketball game between Southern Wayne and Wayne Country Day.

Craziness.

Questionable calls and officiating mixups encompassed the Charger's 65-55 victory over the Saints in the fifth-place game of the Southern Bank/Mount Olive Pickle Winter Classic at the University of Mount Olive.

Wayne Country Day led 37-16 at halftime only to see Southern Wayne fight back in the fourth quarter.

Junior Bless Thomas pulled down a rebound and assisted junior Cole Atwood for a layup. Atwood drew a foul and sank his free throw. The Saints trailed the Chargers, 54-43, with six minutes left in regulation.

Thomas then collided with WCDS freshman Marcus Metcalf for a rebound -- the two exchanged words -- and an official called a double technical foul.

After the officials determined which players actually received the technical, Southern Wayne possessed the ball.

The Chargers never looked frustrated.

Junior PJ Hill assisted sophomore Justin Loftin-Russell on a 3-pointer, and WCDS built a 62-44 lead.

Atwood drove the court for a layup, but drew a foul. He swished both free throws. Senior Josh Graham hit a field goal and Graham assisted Thomas on a basket.

The Saints found themselves down by 10 with 47.8 seconds left in the game, but the Chargers held on for the win.

Senior Jamal Forde recorded 24 points for the Chargers, and was selected to the all-tournament second team. Loftin-Russell ended the game with 14 points, and senior Tony Townsend had 11 points.

Atwood and junior Quentin Carlton scored 14 points apiece. Thomas ended the game with eight points, and Graham and sophomore Jakevious McCullen had six points each. Senior Antjuan Pratt was selected to the all-tournament second team.

"Today was a good game for us," WCDS head coach David Flowers said. "We got after them (Saints) early and it was a good tempo for us. When we are hitting our shots like tonight, we are tough to beat. Playing in this tournament was good for us because it helped to see things we need to work on for the rest of our season.

"Our season doesn't get any easier as we play Neuse on Tuesday and a very good St. David's team on Saturday."