The Dillon Wildcats advanced to the 3A basketball lower state final by handing the Bishop England Fighting Bishops a 74-64 loss in a game played in Dillon on Tuesday, February 21.
The fast-paced, action packed game began with back-to-back 3-point plays from each team before Darius Boatwright connected on a 2-point play to give the Wildcats a 2-point lead. Javier Brookins added a quick 2-pointer for Dillon to increase the lead to 4 before the Fighting Bishops’ #12 hit 1 for a long 2 points. #32 for the Bishops quickly knotted the score with his 2-point shot. #3 for the Bishops connected on 2 free throws to give the Bishops a 2-point lead. However, Darius Boatwright quickly knotted the game at 15 with 1:57 remaining in the first period. Raheem McClam hooked one for 2 points to give Dillon the 2-point lead. After the first period Dillon held a narrow 2-point lead, 17-15.
Corrain Wright began the second period of play with a 3-pointer for the ‘Cats followed by #32 who connected for a 3 of his own for the Bishops to cut the lead to 2. The ‘Cats’ Corrain Wright traveled the entire court and hit 1 for 2 points. #12 for the Bishops hit a 3-pointer, and on the other end of the court Darius Boatwright connected for 2 points. #21 for the Bishops hit for 2 followed by #32 for the Bishops who also connected for a 2-point shot to give the Bishops a slim 1-point lead.#12 for the Bishops added another 2 points to give the Bishops a 3-point lead, 27-24. #21 for the Bishops laid 1 n for 2 to give the Bishops a 5-point lead. The ‘Cats Javier Brookins connected on 1 of 2 free throws before he hit a basket for 2 points. RaKeem Flecher hit a 3 for the Wildcats to once again knot the score at 29. Ty’Quan Porter made an easy basket for 2 points to give Dillon a 2-point lead with only 8 seconds left in the first half. As Porter was fouled while shooting he finished the 3-point play and at halftime Dillon led 32-29.
The second half was similar to the first half packed with fast-paced action.
After 3 periods of play Dillon led 53-46.
Darius Boatwright scored 17 points while Kennan Norman added 15 and TyQuan Porter hit for 13 in the Wildcat victory. Javier Brookins and RaKeem Flecher each connected for 8 points. Corrain Wright hit for 5 points while Raheem McClam and Zareon Hayes each picked up 2 points.
Christian Drummond led all scorers with 23 points for Bishop England while Brendan McChale hit for 22 and Leo Albano connected for 16 wile Quinque hit for 2 and Micheal picked up 1.
The Dillon Wildcats will play Brookland-Cayce at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, February 25, at the Florence Civic Center.
