Winston Academy had a chance to take home two wins last week in boys basketball but had to split their decisions in overtime ventures.
A total of 12 quarters were played between the two games for the Pats with WA losing one and winning another. It began with a matchup with Columbus Christian in a triple OT thriller. After trailing 16-12 at the half and 28-22 after three quarters, the Patriots were able to come back and tie the game with an 18-point fourth quarter. Not one, not two but three overtimes would decide the winner and Columbus Christian was able to come out on top in a 54-50 victory.
In the tough defeat, Bryson Wright led the way with 18 points while Omar Scott scored 14.
The Patriots came out on fire against Kirk Academy in the next game scoring 20 points in the first quarter to jump out to a 20-9 lead. The Pats couldn’t replicate that, however, and began tailing off as the game went on and they allowed the Raiders to get back into the game and force overtime with a 43-all tie.
In OT, the Pats scored 10 points on the back of James Yarbrough who hit two 3-pointers and scored eight of the 10 points to help the team to a 53-47 victory. Wright had 14 points as he hit four 3-pointers in the game. Yarbrough finished with 13 points and three 3-pointers and Ky Kirk had 11 points in the win.
Coach Gary Beals wants to see more consistency out of his team but was proud of the fight that they showed in the two games.
“We battled and battled but we didn’t finish. The next night, we kind of grew up a little bit,” Beals said. “We were patient for most of the game and then started panicking and had to go to overtime. We won, but we’re playing reckless. It is what it is.”
The victory for the Patriots was the first of the season for a team that is trying to find its footing. They went to 1-4 on the young season and hosted Canton Academy on Tuesday for the first district game of the year. The team is also slated to take on Delta Academy on Friday night at home. Next week, WA will host Oak Hill Academy on Tuesday and Friday will travel to Winona Christian School for district games. They will host the Winston Classic on Saturday.
Girls
The Winston girls came away with two big wins last week as they knocked off Columbus Christian and Kirk Academy.
It was a big step forward for Beals’ team as district play begins.
“They won both games and I’m really proud of them,” Beals said. “Kirk is a good basketball team and we were able to finish them off. We did a great job on defense and that’s a positive going into division play. I’ve been telling our girls that we needed to have at least 18 points from the post, and we got that the other night. If we can get the inside game going, I think we’ll be doing good.”
WA held Columbus Christian to just one point in the first quarter and led 18-8 at halftime before cruising to a 47-29 victory on Tuesday. Jillian Sims got into double digits with 11 points and made 5-of-5 from the free throw line.
WA got out to a big lead against Kirk but watched as the Lady Raiders stormed back from a 23-10 halftime deficit to close the game to a possession late before pulling out a 42-40 victory in the game. Beals was pleased with what he saw from Braley Dickerson as the Lady Pats got the production in the post that Beals has been looking for this year.
Dickerson finished with 19 points and scored 11 in the second half to help the team to the win.
The victories evened up the season record to 5-5 ahead of district play this week as the Lady Pats have a chance to start building a successful season.
