WCDS expends third-quarter energy, tires in fourth

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on January 27, 2016 1:48 PM

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A referee asked the coaches for a needle to let some air out of the basketball during the first quarter of Tuesday night's game between Trinity Christian of Fayetteville and Wayne Country Day.

The Chargers lost some air as well in the fourth quarter.

"We (Chargers) had to fight back so hard in that third quarter," said WCDS head coach David Flowers, whose team dropped a 67-57, non-conference game to the Crusaders.

"In the first quarter, we were selfish, and it just took us a while to get adjusted. In the third quarter, our guys are fighters, but in the fourth quarter, we put so much energy in the third."

The Chargers trailed the Crusaders, 34-22, at halftime. They climbed to within 37-34 on Cole Atwood's 3-pointer in the third quarter. Sophomore DJ Waters assisted freshman Jamal King with a field goal, but the Chargers found themselves down 42-36 after three quarters.

King and Atwood each converted free throws to keep the Chargers within striking distance in the fourth. However, Trinity senior Cameron Campbell stole the ball in transition and slammed down two dunks to catapult the Crusaders to a 10-point lead with six minutes left in regulation.

Senior Jamal Forde threw the ball to King twice for a 3-pointer, and Atwood assisted King another bucket. Forde buried a 3-pointer, and the Chargers got to within nine points, but the Crusaders sank their free throws to end the game.

King led all scorers with 18 points. Atwood recorded 14 points and was 6 of 7 from the free throw line. Forde ended the game with 12 points.

"I was proud of them (Chargers) to come back like that," Flowers said. "It showed we can play with some of these big teams."

The Chargers (13-10 overall) play host to Freedom Christian Academy on Friday.