The Dillon Wildcats stamped the ticket to the big game in Columbia on Saturday, March 4, at 4:00 p.m. against Southside to play in the 3A varsity boys basketball game for the first time since 2000 under Coach Harold Wilson. The ‘Cats are only one win from the first state championship in basketball since 1969 under Coach Jerry Frye.
Brookland-Cayce controlled the tip-off. However, Dillon’s Darius Boatwright hit for the first 2 points of the game. Brookland-Cayce’s #2 quickly answered with a 3-pointer of his own…and the game was on! Dillon’s Javier Brookins connected on three 2-pointers in a row to give Dillon an 8-3 lead before #1 for Brookland-Cayce could lay one in for 2 points. The gap was closed to 1point for Dillon when Brookland-Cayce’s #1 laid one in for 2 points. Brookland-Cayce took the lead on a basket by #5 who also connected on 2 free throws on the next offensive play for Brookland-Cayce. #5 for Brookland-Cayce hit another basket for 2 points to give his team a 13-8 lead with only 2:14 remaining in the first period of play. He again hit a 3-pointer to increase the lead to 5 points, 13-8, before Raheem McClam connected on 1of 2 free throws. Raheem McClam hit a basket for 2 points before #5 for Brookland-Cayce hit another 3-pointer. Darius Boatwright connected on a 2-pointer before the buzzer ended the first period of play with Brookland-Cayce leading 19-13.
Dillon’s RaKeem Flecher scored the first 2 points of the second period. #1 for Brookland-Cayce was able to connect on 1 of 2 free throws. On the next offensive play for Brookland-Cayce #4 laid in a 2-pointer. Keenan Norman recovered his own missed shot and scored 2 points. Norman is fouled as he shoots on the next offensive play and makes 1 of 2 free throws to cut Brookland-Cayce’s lead to 4 points, 22-18. RaKeem Flecher is called for charging that nullified his 2-point basket for Dillon. Keenan Norman hits another 1 for 2 points. On a shot by Darius Boatwright that rimmed out, Javier Brookins grabbed the rebound and put the ball into the basket to knot the game at 22 with 2:28 remaining in the second period of play. With 1:04 remaining in the first half, Darius Boatwright connected on a shot for 2 points to give Dillon a 24-22 lead. Brookland-Cayce hit a 2-pointer to once again knot the score before Darius Boatwright could hit another basket for 2. Brookland-Cayce’s #5 hit a 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded to give his team a slim 1-point lead at halftime.
The second half began with the same furious play as the first half with the Wildcats getting on the board first with a 2-point shot from Keenan Norman. Brookland-Cayce’s #2 quickly answered with a 2-point basket of his own. Dillon’s Ty’Quan Porter hit a long 3, and Dillon was off and running again as Javier Brookins quickly hit 1 for 2 points followed by another basket for 2 points. Raheem McClam connected on 1 of 2 free throws for Dillon, and Dillon had a 7-point lead before Brookland-Cayce’s #5 connected on 1 of 2 free throws. The ‘Cats’ Raheem McClam laid 1 in for 2 points. #2 for Brookland-Cayce connected on his free throws to cut Dillon’s lead to 5 points, 38-33. Zareon Hayes, Dillon’s #35, connected on 1 of 2 free throws as the third period of play ended with Dillon leading 39-33.
Brookland-Cayce got off to a quick start in the final period with 2-points baskets from #4 and #1. Keenan Norman calmed things down with a 2-point basket for Dillon before Ty’Quan Porter slammed 1 through for 2 points for the ‘Cats. Darius Boatwright connected on a 2-point basket for the Wildcats with 4:33 remaining in the game to give Dillon a 45-37 lead. Brookland-Cayce’s #12 hits a basket for 2 points. Dillon’s Ty’Quan Porter connected on 1 of 2 from the charity line. Ty’Quan Porter put Dillon on the scoreboard again with a 2-point basket before #10 for Brookland-Cayce connected for 2 points. Dillon’s RaKeem Flecher hit 1 of 2 from the charity line, and Dillon led by 8 points, 49-41 with only 1:18 remaining in the game. With time running out, Brookland-Cayce was forced to foul to lengthen the game. Javier Brookins hit 2 free throws, Keenan Norman connected on 1 of 2 from the charity line, and Ty’Quan Porter connected on another 2 free throws to give Dillon a 54-41 victory.
The Dillon Wildcats scoring was as follows: Javier Brookins 14, Ty’Quan Porter 12, Darius Boatwright 9, Keenan Norman 9, Raheem McClam 6, RaKeem Flecher 3, and Zareon Hayes 1.
Lloyd Kemmings led Brookland-Cayce with 14 followed by Marquis McCoy with 10, Perry 7, Williams 6, and Hook 4.
Dillon is 15-4 for the season while Brookland-Cayce is 18-9.
Follow your Wildcats to Columbia this Saturday and show them your support.
