Hornets eliminate Warriors in OT
Feb. 27—GAMEWELL — West Caldwell's impressive basketball season came to an end in Saturday night's Class 2A West Region Sweet 16.
The Warriors were eliminated in the third round of the state playoffs, 76-71 by Salisbury in overtime at a frenzied Anderson/Trivett Court.
"Proud of the kids, and what kind of season they did have," West coach Billy Anderson said. "Win-loss wise, it's the second best in school history. What else do you need to say."
The Warriors (26-3) saw an 18-game win streak snapped.
Salisbury (22-5) led by 18, 47-29, on Mike Geter's 3-pointer with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
West didn't go away.
Malek Patterson's layup at the buzzer knotted the affair at 68-all and forced overtime.
"I knew it wasn't over," Patterson said. "But faith in God. We put our trust in God and there aren't any worries.
"That's what the Warriors are about. That's what our team plays for. We just gave it all we could," he added.
OT opened with Patterson driving to the basket for a bucket, while picking up a foul. However, a few seconds later, the call was reversed.
No basket and Patterson, West's best player, fouled out.
"I think it was a bad call, but I can't blame it on the refs," Patterson said. "I think we did what we did. There is no one to blame — we gave it all we could."
The coach was livid, long after the game ended.
"It was a very questionable charge," Anderson said. "It should have been (blocking) for sure. "
Jayden Maddox's driving score saw West within 72-71 with 1:26 to go amid the deafening packed gymnasium. Geter answered to put the Hornets ahead by three, and the outcome was wrapped up at the foul line.
"I wish we could have closed it out in regulation, because I thought we had some good momentum," Anderson said. "We got down, but we came back again."
Maddox paced the Warriors with 26 points, while pulling down eight rebounds and making two steals. Patterson totaled 22 points and nine boards.
Salisbury's big man, 6-6 Jake Harris, cut loose for 26 points and 12 rebounds. He fouled out with 1:49 remaining in regulation.
Harris was unstoppable in the opening quarter, scoring 10 points as the Hornets surged to a 15-9 advantage. Patterson was on the bench with three fouls.
Harris dunked in traffic. Geter's 3-pointer made it 27-15.
Truitt McKinney and Zion Thomas each drained treys in trimming the deficit to five. The Hornets enjoyed a 30-23 halftime lead. With the game slipping out of reach, Maddox took over with 10 points and his three-point play pulled West within nine.
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It was 52-41 heading in the final period, which began with Dashaun Brown's put-back which pushed the whipping to 54-41.
Patterson delivered 12 points in the fourth.
"Once they fouled me out, once I came back I knew I had to play forward," Patterson said. "They weren't giving us what we wanted, and I know I'm the leader of my team.
"I know my team is looking up to me, so I just tried to play my part and do what I can do for my team," he continued.
Maddox added nine points down the stretch. After Harris was slapped with his fifth foul on a charge, Patterson made it 64-62, before his put-back tied it.
Salisbury responded to lead by four. A Patterson basket was waved when he picked up his fourth foul on a charge with 18.5 seconds remaining.
Thomas intercepted an inbounds pass and fed Maddox, making it 68-66 with 16.1 left.
The Hornets missed a front end, but retrieved the offensive board. With 6.8 to go, the visitors misfired two free throw attempts, and McKinney hauled in the rebound.
On the ensuing chaotic series, McKinney passed to Maddox — who rifled the pass underneath to Patterson. The tying shot dropped through the net and the arena was at a breaking point.
"Those kids battled," Anderson said. "You talk about being down 18 ... we could have folded, but that's not what those kids are about. They fought. We told them we had time, and we did."
Jordan Patterson totaled nine points and six boards before fouling out in OT. Mason Anthony was good for seven rebounds and five steals.
Thomas, who hit eight points and made two steals, also fouled out after regulation. Tristan Harper blocked two shots., while Anthony and McKinney also recorded blocks.
"For every one of those kids that played, I could tell you a big play," Anderson said. "That's just what they're about. They play hard, and they're selfless.
"You're talking about giving up your body for your team, and taking charges. This is what we're about ... I'm proud of them."
The coach expressed his appreciation for the contribution of Maddox during the second half of the season.
"He got better every game," Anderson said. "That's the Jayden Maddox, if you don't know who he is — that's what Jayden does.
"Jayden was the leading scorer on Hickory High's team last year. He's a good player.
The Warriors were 15 of 24 on free throws. Salisbury was 14 of 30 at the line, and held a 41-36 edge on the glass.
The Hornets' Hank Webb tossed in 16 points. Brown got 13 points and seven boards, while Geter scored 12 and Deuce Walker pulled down nine rebounds.
Salisbury moved onto Tuesday night's Elite 8 at Reidsville (24-0).
"I want to shout out to all the Warrior Nation," Malek Patterson said, "I love them, and I appreciate the whole four years. It ain't over — the Warriors will be back next year."
