Fairfield Central’s Chandon Davis (1) puts up a shot surrounded by Redhawks Russell Jones (2), Xavier Dobey (5), Terrance Barnes (1) and Terrell Harris (3). (Photo/Joe Seibles)
WINNSBORO (Jan. 4, 2017) – With three games on the schedule this week, Westwood head coach Jeff DiBattisto wanted to win Tuesday night’s game at Fairfield Central by one point and get on the bus.
“We’re trying to get a win on the road and it’s a tough place to play,” he said.
The Redhawks did nine points better than that, coming off the court with a 58-48 victory over a stubborn Griffins team.
“I’m proud of them. This was a tough game tonight,” DiBattisto said, noting Griffins head coach Brian Sanders’ work with this season’s team. “He’s doing a good job with his group. They’re struggling a bit, but they’re gonna get there.”
Terrance Barnes led the scoring for the Redhawks (7-4) with 13 points. Terrell Harris and Xavier Dobey finished the night with 10 points apiece.
Tazz Armstrong led the way for the Griffins (3-7) with 19 points. Will Barber had 13 points.
“My senior (Armstrong) stepped it up,” Fairfield Central head coach Brian Sanders said. “He played a heck of a game. That’s the way he practices. Chandon Davis came through from time to time. My eighth-grader Barber came through big time.”
Westwood finished off the first quarter with a Barnes shot at the buzzer to take a 15-4 lead over the Griffins. That margin didn’t change much in the second quarter as the Redhawks held a 25-15 lead going into the half.
The Griffins cut into that cushion in the third quarter. Armstrong and Barber opened with baskets to cut the Westwood lead to 25-19
Each time Fairfield Central tried to get a rally going, a Redhawk would put in a basket to keep a good distance on the Griffins.
“We’ve got a lot of things to work on for the region (4-3A),” said Sanders, whose team plays region rivals Columbia at home Wednesday, at Camden Friday, and at Chester Tuesday. “I think we’re gonna be all right. The games we played earlier in the season prepared us for the two region games this week, so I think we’ll be OK.”
Westwood will have to focus on its Region 4-4A opponents from here on out. The Redhawks played Spring Valley Wednesday in a non-region matchup, then open region play with Richland Northeast Friday and Lancaster Tuesday.
“We’re pretty balanced and get scoring from everyone,” DiBattisto said. “They keep trying to execute what we tell them to do. I think it makes us a tough scout just because we’ve got so many guys who can do different things.”
Westwood 58, Fairfield Central 48
WHS: 15-10-16-17 – 58
FC: 4-11-17-16 – 48
Westwood
Terrance Barnes 13, Terrell Harris 10, Xavier Dobey 10, Hawkins 9, Jones 6, Brown 4, Douglass 4, Watson 2.
Fairfield Central
Tazz Armstrong 19, Will Barber 13, Camack 7, Davis 6, Mazyck 2, McBride 1.
