Jalen Robinson (20) puts up a defensive battle for the Hawks. (Photo/DeAnna Robinson)
BLYTHEWOOD – Having fallen 50-47 at Richland Northeast last Friday, the Westwood boys’ basketball team didn’t want to lose to the Cavaliers again Tuesday night.
The Redhawks got off to a strong start at the Westwood gym, then held off a fierce Cavaliers rally in the fourth quarter to avoid Friday’s fate and escape with a 56-54 victory.
“It was good to get the win back,” Westwood head coach Terry Dozier said. “They’re a heck of a basketball team, because no matter if you make or miss a shot, they’re coming right back after you. They’ve got incredible guards, they shoot the ball well, they’re tough to stay in front of, but I thought we put a very valiant effort defensively and toughed it out.”
Richland Northeast scored the first 3 points in the game, but Westwood followed up with a 12-0 run. The Redhawks cemented a 16-7 lead at the first period buzzer, and walked into the locker room with a 27-22 advantage at the half.
Westwood held a 46-39 lead going into the fourth quarter and eventually built a 52-43 lead on the Cavaliers with 5:05 left.
Alex Caldwell sank a pair of free throws and got a basket, and Nigel Chaney’s put-back with 2:49 left got the Cavaliers within 52-49.
Xavier Davis added a free throw to make it 53-49, but James Fuller Davis sank a 3-pointer that closed Westwood’s lead to 53-52 with 1:20 left.
The Redhawks managed to stay one step ahead of the Cavaliers for the rest of the game. Russell Jones Jr. hit a pair of foul shots, and after an Andre Garner basket made it 55-54, Xavier Davis sank another free throw with 11 seconds left.
Richland Northeast’s Tashon Brockington took a desperation shot with time winding down. Chaney rebounded and put it up again, but it bounced off the rim.
Xavier Davis got the ball back for the Redhawks and held it until the buzzer to clinch the win.
Fuller-Davis led the way for the Cavaliers with a game-high 14 points. Andre Garner had 11.
Jalen Robinson, Jason Frederick and Todd Corley each had 10 points to lead the Redhawks.
“I can’t say too much about Jalen Robinson,” Dozier said. “He’s just come off the football team and this is his first game he really played in. He got some huge rebounds for us and played well defensively.”
Westwood (4-2) plays Fort Mill Friday.
RNE: 7-15-17-15 – 54
WHS: 16-11-19-10 – 56
RNE: James Fuller-Davis 14, Andre Garner 11, Chaney 9, Caldwell 8, Brockington 6, Cheeseboro 4, Paulk 2. WHS: Jalen Robinson 10, Jason Frederick 10, Todd Corley 10, James 9, Douglas 5, Davis 5, Barnes 7.
