Hardwood Heroes
Whiteoak Wildcats triumph over Eastern Eagles in sectional semi
By: Ryan Finn
Posted on:
Mowrystown, OH
The Eastern Eagles traveled west to face off in the sectional semi game against the Whiteoak Wildcats. The Wildcats would take control in the 4th quarter backed by a team effort and would win 60-47.
To start off the game, it seemed as both teams were “clawing” back and forth. It was made known that this was a playoff game. The Wildcats would score on a buzzer beater to take a 13-11 lead after one.
Headed to the second quarter, much of the same was happening in Mowrystown. Both teams are playing strong, and playing chippy. Going into the break, the Wildcats would take a 4 point lead. The Eagles foul trouble and costly turnovers were keeping them from taking advantage of the game.
Going to the third, the Wildcats seemed to have awoken. The Eagles started to press, looking for easy points off turnovers. Whiteoak would break through the press to go on a 13-3 run with 3 minutes left in the 3rd. The Eagles however had a rebuttal. Sophomore Derrick Barnes hit back to back triples to help lead an 11-4 run. Whiteoak would be up 42 to 39 headed into the final quarter.
Headed into the 4th quarter, it seemed for a minute that the Eagles would finally take control of the game, even being down two points with 6 minutes left. Unfortunately for Eastern, turnovers and fouls would let Whiteoak go on an 8-0 run that diminished any chance of an Eagle comeback. The Wildcats would run out the clock and take a 60-47 victory. Whiteoak wins and moves on to face #2 seeded Farfield Leesburg. Forward Weston Blair would put up a game high 18 points for the Wildcats. Derrick Barnes added 15 on 5 threes for the Eagles.