BLYTHEWOOD – The Westwood boys (18-8) lost six out of their last seven Region 5-5A games, but in the postseason the Redhawks have gone back to what made them win before region play—good defense and getting points in transition.
Westwood, seeded 8th, routed No.9 seed North Myrtle Beach 60-35 at home in the first round, then took on No.1 Conway on the road. The Redhawks stayed hot and matched Conway on offense and defense throughout the game. In the final seconds Demarcus Thomas sank game-winning free throws to give the Redhawks a 46-45 victory.
Westwood trailed 45-42 before Jayden Crews got a steal and drew a foul. Crews hit both free throws to cut the deficit to one. Thomas then made a steal and drew a foul before hitting the game-winning shots.
Conway got the ball back, but missed a shot in the last seconds to seal Westwood’s win.
Crews had 12 points and A.J. Veal had 10 points. Thomas had nine.
The win put Westwood on the road to No.4 Berkeley Wednesday night. The winner of that game plays the Myrtle Beach-Goose Creek winner for the upper state championship Wednesday at the Florence Center.
