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Wheatley clinched the 19-4A district championship Wednesday night in a 71-68 win over Jones at Barnett Stadium.
The Wildcats (26-5, 11-0) were down at the half but turned it on in the fourth to win their 11th district game.
“My kids played hard and they deserve it,” Wheatley coach Willie Patrick said. “I feel great about it. In the fourth quarter we just turned it on and kept going.”
Jones jumped out in front, leading 20-18 at the end of the first and 37-34 at the half.
Four-minutes into the third, Jones led. Wheatley’s DeShun Garrett went up for a dunk for the one-point lead then immediately stole Jones’ inbound ball and dunked again. Teammate Oliver Arrington hit a basket, was fouled, and hit his free shot for a 50-49 lead. Then tied at 54, Jones’ Thaddeus Dgungore made a shot with nine seconds left and it regained the lead.
The fourth quarter was do-or-die for Wheatley. Carlos Cook started it with two baskets and a two-point lead. Minutes later, Cook hit a three to go ahead by eight.
With one-minute left on the clock, Wheatley led 70-62. Jones had to foul to get possession of the ball. The Falcons got the ball back twice for free throws and sank three. Then with less than 20 seconds, Dgungore hit a three to trail Wheatly by a basket.
Jones fouled John Boutte, who missed his free throw, but the Wildcats got the rebound. Jones fouled Cook this time and Cook made one-of-two shots for a three-point lead. Jones’ Dgungore had one shot to make the three-point basket but the ball hit the rim and the buzzer sounded.
“They (Jones) played well,” Patrick said. “They are a good team. They played our style of game, ‘running and gunning.’ I can’t take anything away from Coach Ray; he has a good ball club.”
Wheatley will finish district against Sterling.
“We have one more game,” Patrick said. “We’ll come out and try to go undefeated and get ready for the playoffs. Sterling has a chance at the playoffs so they are going to give us a good contest. My kids know it is going to be a dogfight.”
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