PLAYOFFS: Warriors' Best, Williams drain key FTs

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on February 24, 2016 1:48 PM

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KK Best stood at the free throw line.

The scoreboard reflected a 43-43 score with 1:23 left on the clock.

The Eastern Wayne senior released the ball twice and watched the net move as the ball swished the basket each time.

"After those free throws, I felt like we had a chance," said Best, whose team went on to defeat Northern Vance, 47-45, in their first-round N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A playoff game. "I saw the boys riled up, slowed the game down, and Malyk (Williams) came down and he hit the next two free throws. It pushed us over the edge, and we got the win."

The Warriors led the Vikings, 37-30, entering the fourth quarter.

But Northern Vance senior Damion Bobbitt attacked the basket in transition. He stole the ball at half court and drove for a layup. Junior Kalin Jackson penetrated the defense, scored and sank the free throw.

That tied the game at 43-all.

Best followed with his two free throws. After the Vikings missed two free throws, EW head coach Chris Roberts called a timeout with 36 seconds to go. When play resumed, senior Ethan Molloy dribbled around defenders to waste time on the clock.

Molloy then passed the ball to Williams, who drew a foul in the lane and swished his free throws.

Freshman Marcus Rouse led the Warriors with a game-high 13 points. Williams added 11 points. Best collected nine points.

"I tell the guys, 'at this point in juncture of year, it is what it is'. We've got to play better in the fourth quarter," Roberts said. "We should've finished that game a lot better. It shouldn't have come down to that.

"I didn't have to go in there (locker room) and say a goodbye speech -- it's the last game. We're moving on to the second round. The playoffs are a different animal. It's about winning and surviving."

The Warriors (7-20 overall) travel to Southern Nash on Thursday.