West Ashley High School came into last Friday’s game with a losing record and to make things worse, they were facing the reigning Region Champion Goose Creek Gators. Some teams might have just thrown in the towel. But despite their 5-12 record, WAHS is showing no sign of quit as it charges through conference play and into the final stretch of what has been a trying season. The scrappy Wildcats battled the Gators to overtime in a thrilling conference battle, ultimately falling 60-56.
Goose Creek clearly wanted to take advantage of the Wildcats lack of size early on, but the WAHS responded by digging down and playing aggressive defensively. “We wanted to keep them from penetrating so we played an aggressive switching man-to-man defense, keeping them from penetrating” said WAHS head coach Ronnie DuPre.
Late in the first half (7:19 left in second quarter) Goose Creek got a breakaway dunk, sending the opposing crowd into a mini frenzy. But, before momentum could swing, Brandon Fields stepped up to take a charge and inspired the Wildcats. “This was a huge play because it put a better player in foul trouble,” said DuPre. Following the charge, WAHS went on a scoring run to end the half.
Trailing 22-17, the Wildcats came out of the tunnel for the second half on a whole invigorated. They narrowed the Gator’s lead more and trailed by only one point entering the final quarter.
With just seconds on the clock, senior point guard Kevin Sobiesuo stepped to the free throw line confidently and knocks down two free throws to send the game into overtime. But in overtime, Goose Creek pulled ahead and the Wildcats could only watch the time tick off the clocked as they dropped their 12th game of the season. WAHS will get another shot at Goose Creek on Feb. 4, but it will be on their home court next time.
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