Adam Douglas (15) with the hook. (Photo/Ross Burton)
COLUMBIA (Dec. 13, 2016) – The annual Bojangles Bash basketball tourney opened with a thriller last week, with the Redhawks of Westwood coming up on the short end to the Lexington Wildcats, 65-63 in overtime on Dec. 8 at Ridge View High School.
Westwood jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, seemingly well in control of the game. By halftime, the Redhawks went into the locker room leading 29-22. Lexington rallied in the second half, however.
Lexington had the ball in the final seconds when Westwood went to a zone defense to keep the Wildcats from scoring the game-winning basket. Caleb Shackleford shot and missed. He caught the rebound, but the buzzer sounded before he could lay the ball up. Regulation play ended 57-57.
Four minutes of overtime play would decide the game. Early in the overtime period, the teams traded field goals. In the last 40 seconds, Lexington enjoyed a two-point lead, and held the ball, trying to run out the clock. In an attempted steal to make something happen, there ensued a jump ball which went in Westwood’s favor. There was 22 seconds on the clock when
Westwood took over possession.
The Redhawks squandered their good fortune with a bad pass which turned the ball over at a critical moment. In desperation, Westwood intentionally fouled the Lexington player, but both foul shots were good. Trailing 65-61, Westwood hit for 2 points, but with 0.6 second to go, it was mission impossible, and the final score was 65-63.
“We should have been better defensively,” Westwood head coach Jeff DiBattisto said. “We played our worst defense all year. The outlook is good for the rest of the year, but about tonight, that’s what happens when you don’t play well.”
Despite losing, Westwood had the game’s high scorer.
Cameron Wormack scored 24 points. Terrell Harris was Westwood’s second highest scorer at 17 points. Lexington’s Darius Bryant led with 17 points and Will Haney hit for 16.
