LENOIR — Watauga's boys' basketball team used a bit third quarter to pull away from Hibriten and take a 65-58 victory over the host Panthers Tuesday night.

Watauga (9-12, 5-6 NWC) snapped a three-game losing streak. The Pioneers trailed 29-25, but went on a blistering 17-2 run to claim a 42-31 lead the Pioneers would never lose. Hibriten (8-11, 2-9) scored the next seven points of the quarter, but Watauga came back with a 6-0 burst capped by a steal-and-layup by guard Ethan Poulos just before the buzzer to give the Pioneers a 48-38.

Watauga never lost its lead, but Hibriten came close. The Panthers, trailing 55-46, went on a 9-2 run in the fourth quarter to pull to 57-55. Watauga led 59-57 before closing out the game with a three-point play from Jake Pifer, a free throw from Jesse Chasteen and two more foul shots from Pifer.

Pifer connected on 7-of-9 free throws en route to scoring 20 points. Ben Howser added 12 shots and both Chasteen and Matt Proffitt each scored seven points.

Watauga converted 17-of-21 free throws.

Mike Burgess led the Panthers with 19 points. Drake Felder added 11 and Charles Benfield scored nine before fouling out.

Watauga hosts Wilkes Central in a makeup game Wednesday night. The Pioneers close out their regular season Friday at home against St. Stephens.

 

Watauga boys 65, Hibriten 58

Watauga (9-12, 5-6)

Pifer 6 7-9 20, Poulos 2 0-0 4, Proffitt 3 1-2 7, Margolis 2 0-0 5, Howser 6 0-0 12, Chasteen 1 5-6 7, Koppehaver 1 4-4 6, Sturgill 2 0-0 4, Mackey 0 0-0 0, Steury 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 17-21 65.

Hibriten (8-11, 2-9)

Rutherford 2 4-5 8, Hunt 2 0-0 4, Muniz 1 0-0 2, Poarch 0 2-2 2, Burgess 5 7-12 19, Hogan 1 0-0 3, Felder 5 1-4 11, Benfield 4 1-4 9, Justice 0 0-0 0, Ellis 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 15-27 58.

Watauga          11 14 23 17 65

Hibriten           7 20 11 20 — 58

3-point goals—WHS 2 (Pifer, Margolis), HHS 3 (Burgess 2, Hogan). Rebounds—WHS 29 (Howser 8), HHS 28 (Felder 5). Turnovers—WHS 19, HHS18. Total fouls—WHS 19, HHS 19. Fouled out—HHS, Muniz, Benfield. Technical fouls—None.