After a tense-fourth quarter, the Dillon Wildcats earned a 62-54 win over Kingstree on Wednesday, February 13, in the first round of the Class 2A boys basketball lower state playoffs.

The Wildcats took the lead in the first quarter when Dillon’s Jalik Bethea sank a three-pointer for the first points of the game, but Kingstree’s Randolph Lester sank a three-pointer as well moments later. Bethea was fouled three times in the first quarter, allowing him six free throw attempts, hitting two for two points. Dillon’s Breon Page added a two-pointer, but Kingstree’s Marquese Murphy was fouled and sank both free throws for two-points. Kingstree’s Bobby Williams followed up with a steal and two-pointer, but Dillon fired back with a three-pointer from Olajuwan Fenton to give the Wildcats a 14-7 lead at the end of the first.

Kingstree rallied to go 14-12 in the second, leaving them trailing 26-21 at the half. Kingstree’s Anthony Fulton scored two early in the quarter, Murphy followed up with another shortly after. Dillon’s Avery McCall hit a two-pointer, and Gabriel Salmon sank a free throw after being fouled by Kingstree’s Calvin McClary. Kingstree’s Jawaan Madison and Dillon’s John Caulder each scored on two free throws, and Madison added two more points right after. Kingstree’s Linwood Johnson fouled Bethea allowing the Wildcats to score on two more free throws, and Salmon laid in two points, but Kingstree’s McClary sank a three-pointer with 2:47 left in the half. Dillon’s Maurice Williams sank a three-pointer in the final moments of the quarter, and Salmon was fouled, sinking one free throw.

The Wildcats inched a little further ahead with a 20-19 third quarter to give Dillon a 46-40 heading into the fourth. Dillon’s Shaqui Cabbagestalk scored two but Kingstree’s Fulton scored two and sank a free throw after being fouled by Bethea. Cabbagestalk hit a three-pointer to put Dillon ahead 31-26, and Bethea hit another three-pointer shortly after. Kingstree’s Jahreef Rodgers added two for the Jaguars, but Dillon’s Anthony Blue laid in an easy two for Dillon and Caulder followed up with two more to put Dillon up 42-38. Page sank two free throws after being fouled, and Bethea scored two with an assist from Salmon.

In the final period, the Wildcats outscored the Jaguars 16-14 to seal the win. Dillon’s Eri’Reon Hayes, Salmon, and Bethea each sank two-pointers in the beginning of the fourth but Kingstree’s Bobby Williams scored three three-pointers in a row. With 3:43 left on the clock and Dillon ahead by just one point at 54-53, Kingstree’s Murphy fouled out, allowing Bethea to sink two free throws for the Wildcats. Bethea followed up by driving down the court and laying in two points to give the Wildcats some distance at 58-53.

With 1:19 left on the clock, Kingstree scored on a free throw, and Kingstree’s Fulton scored a controversial basket that later taken back to leave the Jaguars down 58-54. Kingstree called a time out with 47 seconds remaining and possession of the ball, but when play resumed, Kingstree’s Randolph Lester fouled Bethea. Bethea sank one free throw, and with 21 seconds remaining, Page was fouled by Kingstree’s Rodgers, resulting in two more points for the Wildcats. With five seconds left in the game, Dillon took a time out, and another foul from Kingstree’s Madison with four seconds left gave Bethea the opportunity to sink another free throw, giving the Wildcats the 62-54 win.

Jalik Bethea led the Wildcats with a game-high 22 points and Breon Page added eight in the win. John Caulder scored six points, Shaqui Cabbagestalk and Gabriel Salmon each earned five, Eri’reon Hayes added four, and Anthony Blue, Olajuwan Fenton, and Maurice Williams each added three with Avery McCall scoring two for Dillon.

Bobby Williams led Kingstree with 13 points and Anthony Fulton scored 11 with Randolph Lester and Calvin McClary each adding seven. Devonte Brown earned six and Jawaan Madison and Marquese Murphy each scored four with Jahreef Rodgers adding two points for the Jaguars.

Dillon improved to 19-7 while Kingstree finished the season at 13-13.

Dillon was scheduled to host Mullins on Saturday night, but the game was postponed due to the inclement weather. The game was rescheduled for Monday night at 7:00 p.m. The winner will move on to round three to face either Marion or Lake Marion on Wednesday, February 20.

Look for playoff updates online at thedillonherald.com and in Thursday’s issue of THE DILLON HERALD!

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