The Dillon Wildcats broke into the top 10 of the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association polls this week but fell 55-54 at the buzzer to the visiting Marion Swamp Foxes.
Marion took a 15-8 lead in the first quarter and went 15-13 over the Wildcats in both the second and third quarters to lead 45-34 heading into the fourth quarter. But Dillon poured in the points in the fourth quarter and cut the lead to just one point with 10 seconds left in the game. The Wildcats went for a three-pointer, but the shot missed as the buzzer sounded to allow Marion to retain the win.
John Tyler led the Swamp Foxes with 14 points and DeAndre Foxworth added 11 with Terry Wiggins earning 10. Deshawn Avent and Jordan Bell each earned six points and Reggie Barnes and Stephon Godfrey each contributed four in the win.
JaQuan Knowlin scored a game-high 16 points to lead the Wildcats in the effort, and Eri’Reon Hayes added 14 points. Gabe Salmon, Jr., and Joe Manning each earned six points, Tyreik McAllister and Jalik Bethea each added four, and Anthony Blue and Avery McCall each scored two.
The Wildcats slipped to 12-4 overall and 1-2 in Region 8-2A, while Marion improved to 9-7 and 3-0 to remain tied with Mullins for first place in Region 8-2A.
The Wildcats were ranked 10th in the state in Class 2A boys basketball in the latest SCBCA polls, with Newberry, Lake City, Lake Marion, Keenan, and Indian Land making up the top five. Mullins was ranked sixth, followed by Blacksburg, Kingstree, and Battery Creek.
Dillon will host Loris this Friday and Waccamaw on Tuesday, January 28. Varsity action is set to begin at 6 p.m.
