In a Friday night scrap between two teams who have quickly become very up close and personal, Irving College played host to the WCMS Pioneers. The game was fast-paced right up until the fourth quarter when WCMS pulled back its full-court pressure.
At the final buzzer, the Pioneers were able to cage the Tigers, 40-25.
Trevor Wanamaker for Irving College was the game’s leading scorer with 15 points, despite being double-teamed for much of the second and third quarters. Wanamaker knocked down a pair of deep 3-pointers in the closing minutes, but it was not enough.
The Pioneers brought with them an explosive offense that moves the ball down the entire floor with only a few passes. Teams who get caught up in trying to run with WCMS usually pay a heavy price. It didn’t take long and the Pioneers took off.
Six different Pioneers scored in the first quarter and Eli Kuykendall led them all after he attacked the Tiger defense and completed a 3-point play.
Despite constant pressure, Wanamaker pushed the Pioneer defensive limits and attacked the heart of the defense right down the lane. He got to shots to fall for four point and then sank 2-of-4 free throws. He kept Irving College in the game in the opening period but he needed help if the Tigers were going to attempt to keep it close.
WCMS buried the Tigers in an avalanche of offense in the second period. The Pioneers had a pair of players score six points each. Chance Hunter captured six of his nine points and at times looked unstoppable. Kuykendall cleaned up any rebounds and he put the ball back in for another six points.
The Pioneer defense broke the Tigers down and crippled their offense. It was rare to get a good look in the second quarter and if the Tigers did get a decent look it was slightly off target. Abram Stinson and Riley Wanamaker had one shot fall each.
WCMS led 30-10 at the half.
After the break, Irving College came out looking to keep the pace turned up. Wanamaker received a constant double-team and forced his teammates to take control. Stinson led his team scoring in the third with three. Wanamaker added two despite being harassed.
The third quarter came and went and the Pioneers extended an already large lead to 36-17.
The final quarter was underway and the Pioneers were content and pulled back their pressure. Asher Wallace led WCMS with four points as time wound down.
PIONEER SCORING – Eli Kuykendall 9, Chance Hunter 8, True Craven 6, Asher Wallace 6, Layne Roberts 5, Curtlan George 2, Raleigh Gilliam 2, Hudson O’Connor 2
TIGER SCORING – Trevor Wanamaker 15, Abram Stinson 6, Tanner Wanamaker 2, Riley Wanamaker 2