Wakefield uses a big fourth quarter to down Corinth Holders by 20 on the road

By: Zachary Adams

1/22/19

ARCHER LODGE, NC — High School OT #8 Wakefield (15-2, 3-0) remained perfect in NAC-6 play by taking down Corinth Holders (5-12, 0-3), 75-55 on Tuesday night.

Wake Forest transfer Darius Everett got the scoring started for the Wolverines off the jump. Everett cut down the baseline, caught a pass from Khayne Cayne, and finished a lay-in. A few possessions later, 6’9” Cayne grabbed the offensive board and dropped the rock in the cup to give Wakefield the 7-0 advantage with 6:37 to play in the first quarter. After trailing 13-4 with four and a half to play in the opening stanza, Corinth Holders would begin to catch fire. The Pirates finished the quarter on an 11-5 run saw Kimar Kornegay make a three from the corner and Jacob Poole grab an offensive board and finish a well contested bucket in the post, to name a few “highlights”. Corinth’s big run was then capped off by point guard Jermaine Best racing down the floor, catching an outlet from the aforementioned Poole, and finishing a contested lay-up. Despite starting the game on a 7-0 run, Wakefield only led 18-15 after eight minutes of play. 

Wakefield’s Darrius Everett began the second quarter scorching hot. Everett went on a personal 8-0 run early in the frame to give the Wolverines the 27-15 lead. Senior forward Tyler Wooten would put an end to Everett’s 8-0 run by knocking down an elbow jumper with just about five minutes to play in the second. Then, a three point contest would ensue from Archer Lodge. Corinth’s Justin Stephens got the three point barrage underway with a trey from the wing, making it 31-22 Wakefield. Trae Smith would then hit one on the other end, giving Wakefield their double digit lead back. Feed the hot hand, right? Yes. That’s what the Pirates would do as the ball swung around the perimeter and the rock finished in the hands of Justin Stephens, who sunk his second three in a row. Speaking of back-to-back threes, Trae Smith would hit another triple for the Wolverines and this time Smith buried it from the corner. Justin Stephens’ third consecutive three was followed by his backcourt mate Jermaine Best hitting a long ball of his own. Wakefield’s 41-31 advantage would hold the final 46 seconds of the second quarter, giving the visitor’s the double figure lead at the break.

The Wolverines and Pirates traded baskets coming out of intermission. At the 3:28 mark in the third, Justin Stephens sunk a foul line jumper to cut the Wakefield lead down to 43-35. A few possessions later, Wakefield’s 5’3” guard Ja’Ques Shields would poke the ball away from 6'0" Stephens, rush down the floor, and finish an uncontested lay-up. Shields’ DIY bucket made it 47-37 Wakefield with 4:09 to play in the third. Tyler Wooten’s nine third quarter points helped the Pirates maintain traction. After 24 minutes of action in “Pirate Country”, Wakefield was up 55-48 on Corinth Holders.

The Wolverines would put their foot on the gas in the fourth and final quarter. Wakefield opening the final stanza on a 9-1 run that was highlighted by Darius Everett getting the steal on one end and the throwdown on the other. Two triples from three point specialist Nyeem Smiley and six points at the cup from Vernon Fraley Jr. allowed the visitor’s to put the game on ice. Wakefield found themselves on top by 20, 71-51, with 3:07 remaining. The Wolverines outscored the Pirates 20-7 in the final eight minutes to seal the 75-55 victory. Wakefield has now won 10 of their last 11 games.

Trae Smith led the way for Wakefield with 20 points. 14 of Smith’s 20 came in the first half. Darius Everett and Vernon Fraley Jr. each contributed 16 and 10 points respectively. Justin Stephens paced Corinth Holders with 14 points, 11 of which came in the second quarter alone. Tyler Wooten would also finish in double figures for the Pirates with 13 points.

High School OT #8 Wakefield will hit the hardwood again at home on Friday night against #9 Knightdale. At the 2018 South Granville Holiday Invitational, Knightdale handed Wakefield their second loss of the season in the Columbia Bracket Championship. The Knights were victorious 72-67. Corinth Holders will also be at home Friday night against Rolesville, led by crafty point guard Jordan Cooper.