Area basketball playoffs update: Wilcox County Patriots headed to quarterfinals

Published 2:11 am Friday, February 22, 2019

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Staff Reports 

Five of the area high school basketball teams entered the second round of the state playoffs this week, but only one of those teams will be playing in the quarterfinal round of their respective classification’s state tournament.

The Wilcox County boys’ varsity squad will be the only area team that will be continuing their 2018- 2019 season for at least another game. The Patriots defeated a tough Macon County Bulldog squad 82-73 in Rochelle on Thursday night in overtime to advance into next week’s class A quarterfinal round.

The Patriots were ahead of the Bulldogs by a score of 19-16 after one quarter of play. Desmond Tisdol led Wilcox in the quarter with eight points, while Cameron Patterson had six on a pair of three-pointers. Keyshawn Howard hit his first of four total three-pointers for the night during the first quarter, and Jordan Brown tacked on two points to round out the first period scoring for the Patriots.

Macon County outscored Wilcox 19-13 in the second quarter to take a 35-32 lead into the second half. Tisdol scored six of the Patriot second period points, while Howard added five and Azavion Deans put in two.

Wilcox County subsequently went on to outscore the Bulldogs 18-14 in the third period. Patterson and Brown combined for three successful three-point shots to account for half of the Wilcox points in the quarter, while Howard, Tisdol and Deans combined for the other nine. Wilcox had a 50-49 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Bulldogs edged the Patriots 15-14 in fourth quarter scoring to leave the teams tied at 64 at the conclusion of the period, so they played overtime to decide a winner. Wilcox fourth quarter scoring came on six points from Howard, and four apiece from Tisdol and Brown.

Wilcox scored 18 points in the overtime period against just nine from Macon County, which left the Patriots on top by the final score of 82-73. Howard scored seven points in the overtime period to lead the Patriots, while Brown, Patterson, and Demetric Young all scored three. Tisdol rounded out the overtime period Wilcox scoring with one point.

Howard totaled 26 points on the night to lead the Patriots to the victory, and Tisdol finished with 21.

Other final point totals for Wilcox in the contest: Brown- 16, Patterson- 12, Deans-four, and Young- three.

Wilcox will play their third matchup of the season against Irwin County next week on Wednesday night in Ocilla for a spot in the class A final four. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Wilcox County Lady Patriots had their class A state tournament run come to an end on Wednesday night with a defeat in their second consecutive playoff overtime game. Bowdon outlasted the visiting Lady Patriots 76-67 in the second round matchup to end the Wilcox girls’ 2018-2019 season. The Lady Patriots finished the season with an overall record of 17-11.

Crisp County 

The Crisp County boys’ varsity team had their season come to an end on Thursday night with a second round playoff defeat to Johnson Savannah 47-44 in a highly competitive contest. The story from the Crisp County game can be read by using this link: CCHS playoff run ends in second round of state basketball tournament

Dooly County 

Dooly County High School’s boys’ team also had their season come to a close on Thursday night with an 88-63 loss to 28-1 Treutlen High School. The DCHS Bobcats finished the season with an overall record of 18-9.

The Lady Bobcats of Dooly County also fell in a second round road playoff game. Dooly’s girls’ team fell to Wheeler County by a final score of 68-46 on Wednesday night.