Wesleyan boys, girls net playoff wins
Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
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HIGH POINT [MW1] — Wesleyan Christian didn’t want to take anything for granted after beating Wake Christian a week ago.
So, the second-seeded Trojans built a solid lead in the first quarter, extended it to double digits in the second, and broke open the game late to beat the Bulldogs 69-41 on Tuesday at Wesleyan in the first round of the NCISAA 4A East boys basketball playoffs.
In the girls game, fourth-seeded Wesleyan led by double digits in the third quarter, held on as Durham Academy hit shots from outside late, and won 51-43.
“The first playoff game is challenging, and much respect to Wake Christian,” Wesleyan boys coach C.J. Lee said. “It’s tough when you play a team the week before and then you play the same team under playoff conditions.
“You know you’re going to get their A-game, and you want to make sure your team is approaching the game with the proper attitude and humility, especially coming off a win. I thought our guys did that.
“I’m proud of their approach, because human nature would suggest that you could just show up and roll. And you have to have more respect for the game and the opponent than that. I thought they respected Wake Christian tonight.”
Isaiah Ray scored 17 points to lead the Trojans (8-10), who beat Wake Christian 72-49 on the road Feb. 9. Jefferson McLamb and J3 Swindell each added 13 points in a well-rounded effort to move on to the second round against third-seeded Ravenscroft.
“We came out strong,” Ray said. “We didn’t finish as strong as we’d like. We played this team recently, but overall we played pretty strong.”
Wesleyan scored nine of the game’s first 11 points to lead by seven midway through the first and held an eight-point lead to end the first quarter. The Trojans — missing from outside early but grabbing rebounds and eventually working inside for scores — got their lead to 12 before taking a 32-21 lead into halftime.
“It was a rough night shooting,” Ray said. “We shot like maybe 20% from 3 — a cold night for everybody. But it was good to have that balance and get to the rack and shoot 3s at the same time.”
Wesleyan pushed its lead to 19 in the third and, in a flurry of scores by both teams, extended its advantage to 27 midway through the fourth. The Trojans, who led by 28 late, were able to limit Wake (2-15) — which was led by Colton Tew with 18 points — well enough to keep them well out of reach.
“Some nights it’s going to be from the perimeter, some nights it’s going to be on the inside, some nights it’s going to be your defense,” Lee said. “I thought tonight our interior scoring but most importantly our defense as a team — starting with Cam Parker setting the tone — and picking up fullcourt really helped us.”
Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
HIGH POINT [MW1] — Wesleyan Christian didn’t want to take anything for granted after beating Wake Christian a week ago.
So, the second-seeded Trojans built a solid lead in the first quarter, extended it to double digits in the second, and broke open the game late to beat the Bulldogs 69-41 on Tuesday at Wesleyan in the first round of the NCISAA 4A East boys basketball playoffs.
In the girls game, fourth-seeded Wesleyan led by double digits in the third quarter, held on as Durham Academy hit shots from outside late, and won 51-43.
“The first playoff game is challenging, and much respect to Wake Christian,” Wesleyan boys coach C.J. Lee said. “It’s tough when you play a team the week before and then you play the same team under playoff conditions.
“You know you’re going to get their A-game, and you want to make sure your team is approaching the game with the proper attitude and humility, especially coming off a win. I thought our guys did that.
“I’m proud of their approach, because human nature would suggest that you could just show up and roll. And you have to have more respect for the game and the opponent than that. I thought they respected Wake Christian tonight.”
Isaiah Ray scored 17 points to lead the Trojans (8-10), who beat Wake Christian 72-49 on the road Feb. 9. Jefferson McLamb and J3 Swindell each added 13 points in a well-rounded effort to move on to the second round against third-seeded Ravenscroft.
“We came out strong,” Ray said. “We didn’t finish as strong as we’d like. We played this team recently, but overall we played pretty strong.”
Wesleyan scored nine of the game’s first 11 points to lead by seven midway through the first and held an eight-point lead to end the first quarter. The Trojans — missing from outside early but grabbing rebounds and eventually working inside for scores — got their lead to 12 before taking a 32-21 lead into halftime.
“It was a rough night shooting,” Ray said. “We shot like maybe 20% from 3 — a cold night for everybody. But it was good to have that balance and get to the rack and shoot 3s at the same time.”
Wesleyan pushed its lead to 19 in the third and, in a flurry of scores by both teams, extended its advantage to 27 midway through the fourth. The Trojans, who led by 28 late, were able to limit Wake (2-15) — which was led by Colton Tew with 18 points — well enough to keep them well out of reach.
“Some nights it’s going to be from the perimeter, some nights it’s going to be on the inside, some nights it’s going to be your defense,” Lee said. “I thought tonight our interior scoring but most importantly our defense as a team — starting with Cam Parker setting the tone — and picking up fullcourt really helped us.”
[MW1]