The Latta Vikings varsity basketball team edged the Dillon Wildcats 71-67 on Friday, December 8, in Latta.
Latta controlled the opening tip-off. However, Dillon’s Ty’Quaries Rogers placed the first 2 points on the scoreboard. Dillon was up 5-1 before J.R. McClam for Latta sank a free throw shot.
Latta tied the game at 9 with a little over 3 minutes remaining in the first period.
Timmy Jeong sank a free throw to give Dillon a 1-point lead with 2:22 remaining in the first period. Jeong added 4 more points in the first period on two 2-point baskets to help Dillon take a 19-11 lead after the first period.
Dillon increased the lead to 23-11 in the second period before Latta sank a 3-point shot. Dillon quickly sank two 2-point baskets to give the Wildcats a 27-14 lead with 3:58 remaining in the first half.
Latta’s Nasir Sellers sank one for 2, and Deonte Stanley laid one in for 2. Dillon’s Damari Ladson answered with a 2-point shot of his own, and Zy’Aire Charles hit one for two for Dillon.
Latta’s Nasir Sellers responded with a 2-pointer, and Dillon’s Damari Ladson sank one for 2. Dillon’s lead was now 13 points, 33-20.
Darius McRae for Latta hit a basket for 2 but was unable to get the 3-pointer the old fashioned way as he missed the free throw after being fouled while shooting.
However, he was fouled again and managed to sink 1 of 2 free throw shots with 1:21 remaining in the half.
At halftime Latta had cut Dillon’s lead to 7 points, 33-26.
Latta outscored Dillon 27-10 in the third period of play, and Dillon outscored Latta 24-18 in the final period but came up short.
The Vikings’ Darius McRae scored a game-high 29 points while Deonte Stanley added 13 in the win. J.R. McClam contributed 12 points while Sellers hit for 9, and Roberts added 6 points. Miles garnered 2 points.
Dillon’s Corrian Wright had 16 points to lead the Wildcats’ scoring. Darius Boatwright added 13, Ty’Quan Porter hit for 12 points, and Damari Ladson added 11. Rogers managed 6 points, and McCollum added 4 points. Green hit for 3 points, and Porter and Williams each garnered 2 points.