SAWMILLS — Watauga boys' basketball coach Rob Sanders felt that when his Pioneers blasted South Caldwell in their first meeting back in January, the Spartans were better than what they showed.

South Caldwell proved that in its 72-55 victory over the visiting Pioneers in a Northwestern Conference showdown Friday night. Watauga (8-12, 4-6) finished 1-3 against the 4-A teams in the NWC. South Caldwell (9-12, 4-7) took a 17-10 lead in the first quarter and never looked back against the cold-shooting Pioneers.

Watauga smothered South Caldwell 65-32 after taking a 37-11 halftime lead. Just one South Caldwell player scored in double figures and none other scored more than five.

That wasn't the case Friday. South Caldwell Had three players score in double figures, led by Jordan Propst with 18 points.

“We played well tonight,” South Caldwell coach Lee Swanson said. “They really kicked our tails when we were up there and we didn't match their intensity, so I was glad we did that.”

Jake Pifer and Matt Proffitt each scored 10 points for the Pioneers, but it was not nearly enough to catch the Spartans. Propst also pulled down 13 rebounds.

The Spartans also hurt the Pioneers with outside shooting by making nine 3-point baskets. Thomas Redding and Josh Evans each scored 11 points after both making three 3-point shots. Connor Drum also buried a 3-point shot and finished with nine points.

South Caldwell used a half-court trap in the third quarter to pull away from the Pioneers. Watauga trailed 43-32 when South Caldwell went on a 10-0 run. Aaron Wingate capped the run with a 3-point basket to put the Spartans in front 53-32.

“In the second half, they were beating us down the floor,” Swanson said. “I called timeout after a made basket put us up by 10 and I changed it up and got some rhythm there.”

South Caldwell took its largest lead of 22 points (70-48) in the fourth quarter before the Pioneers scored seven of the last nine points of the game.

Watauga's regular season close out its regular season next week with two games. The Pioneers play at Hibriten on Tuesday and finish at home against St. Stephens on Feb. 10.

 

South Caldwell 72, Watauga 55

Watauga (8-12, 4-6)

Pifer 4 0-0 10, Steury 1 0-0 3, Poulos 1 0-0 2, Proffitt 4 2-6 10, Margolis 1 1-2 3, Howser 2 2-2 6, Chasteen 1 3-4 5, Koppenhaver 3 1-4 7, Sturgill 1 0-0 2, Mackey 3 1-4 7. Totals 21 10-22 55.

South Caldwell (9-12, 4-7)

Wingate 2 1-2 6, Hodge 3 1-3 7, Smith 0 0-2 0, Redding 4 0-0 11, Evans 3 2-2 11, Hallyburton 1 0-0 2, Propst 6 5-6 18, Drum 2 4-6 9, Mask 3 2-3, Minton 0 0-0 0, Barker 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 15-24 72.

Watauga          10 16 12 17 — 55

South Caldwell            17 17 23 15 — 72

3-point goals—Watauga 3 (Pifer 2, Steury), South Caldwell 9 (Redding 3, Evans 3, Wingate, Propst, Drum). Total fouls—Watauga 21, South Caldwell 21. Fouled out—Watauga, Koppenhaver; South Caldwell, Mask. Technical fouls—None.