From left to right, standing: Assistant Coach Brad Cunningham, Coach Derek Trimm, Head Coach Zac Wakefield, Memphis Bowman, Preston Nelson, Hudson Holland, Jarret Hosch, Nick Haney, Drew Cook, Haiden Channell, Dawson Klein, Sean Wyers, J.D. Boman, Thackary Box, Tyler Mays, Miles Miles, Coach Zac Evans, Assistant Coach Jake Elkins and Aaron Rao. Holding trophy: Chris Podmore. Front: Slate Gilbert.
By Luke Brantley
Staff writer
WINFIELD — The Winfield Pirates are the 2022 West Alabama Conference (WAC) champions after a 65-60 victory over the Sulligent Blue Devils on Monday, Dec. 19.
The Pirates defeated the South Lamar Stallions 65-33 in the first round on Saturday, Dec. 17, and advanced to the final round on Monday.
The game was a close, back and forth battle until the very end.
At the end of the first quarter, Winfield led by one point 15-14. The second quarter was just as close, with Winfield once again scoring two more points during the quarter than the Blue Devils, going into halftime with a 31-29 lead.
Winfield widened their lead during the third quarter, scoring 19 points to Sulligent’s 12. By the end of the third quarter, Winfield was leading 50-41.
The Blue Devils closed the gap in the fourth quarter, tying the game 58-58 with just over a minute left in the game.
A few seconds later, Sulligent was leading by one point 59-58.
Winfield’s Tyler Mays scored on a layup with 49.1 seconds remaining to put the Pirates ahead by one point 60-59.
The Pirates were able to connect with a few shots to increase their lead, while the Blue Devils only got one free throw through the net before the game was over. The final score came from Winfield’s Thackary Box, who shot for two from inside the lane with under 10 seconds to go to give the Pirates their 65-60 victory.
During the game, Slate Gilbert scored the most points for the Pirates with 27 points, along with four rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
Drew Cook scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, two assists and one steal. Preston Nelson scored eight points and made two rebounds and two assists.
Box scored five points and made four rebounds and four assists. Mays scored four points and recorded four rebounds and three assists. J.D. Boman scored three points and ended the game with two rebounds and one assist.
Miles Miles scored two points and came away with two rebounds. Jarett Hosch score two points and got away with three steals. Haiden Channell recorded one rebound.
The Pirates are now 7-7 for the season, and will play their next game on Thursday, Dec. 29, during the Winfield Tournament.
See complete story in the Journal Record.
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