The Dillon Wildcats edged the Latta Vikings 63-60 to pick up another win on Wednesday, January 25, in Dillon.
After getting off to a 17-10 lead in the first half, Dillon slipped in the second as the Vikings outscored the Wildcats 20-14 to put them within one point of Dillon at the half. Latta returned to the court to outscore Dillon 16-14 in the third, taking a precarious 46-45 lead. But the Wildcats rallied in the fourth quarter, outscoring Latta 18-14 to claim the three-point victory with the final score at 63-60.
Jalik Bethea scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Wildcats, with Breon Page earning 16 in the win. Kwinton Smith added eight points, Omar McCollum scored four, and Lavaris Hargrove earned three, with Julius Saunders, Shaqui Cabbagestalk, Eri’Reon Hayes, Hyfice Dixon, and Maurice Williams each adding two.
Smith joined the Wildcats basketball team two weeks ago, the first time he’s played basketball in his high school career. Smith is well-known for his football career, having verbally committed to play for South Carolina, but he has been a solid addition to the basketball roster, averaging 11.3 points in three games so far for the Wildcats.
The Vikings were led by Rajit McFadden with a team-high 17 points, with D.J. Legette adding 13 and Charles McGill earning 10. Ty’Sean Burgess scored five, Donell Stanley earned four, and R.J. McClam scored three, with Ken’Che Page, Ne’Quan Williams, Darius Jones, and Tyrell Sabb each adding two points for Latta.
The Vikings are now 5-9 overall and 4-4 in Region 8A. Johnsonville leads the region with a 6-2 record, with Carvers Bay in second at 5-2, and Hemingway at 5-3, followed by Latta and Creek Bridge at 3-5.
Latta has four region games left in the season, beginning tonight when the Vikings travel to Carver’s Bay. Friday, Latta will be in Creek Bridge, and next week the Vikings will host Johnsonville and Lake View to finish out the regular season. The Vikings defeated Carver’s Bay and Creek Bridge in their first meeting this season, but fell to Johnsonville and Lake View.
Including last week’s wins over Latta and Aynor, Dillon is now 10-10 overall and 4-2 in Region 8-AA. Marion currently leads the region with an undefeated 6-0 record.
The Wildcats will also close the season with a string of region games, beginning with their final home game of the season tonight when Dillon hosts Mullins. The Wildcats will be at Marion on Friday, Loris on Monday, and will wrap the season at Waccamaw on Wednesday, February 8.
All games start at 6:00 p.m., so make plans to attend to support our local teams!
