Wolves Cut Down Forest in Region Semifinal

The Wolves defeated Ocala Forest 52-49 Tuesday on a Jake Hodges 3 pointer at the buzzer. Forest did a great job defending Hodges and Samal Shepherd for most of the game, but in so doing had a hard time keeping up with Trent Mackey and Cody Dowd. Mackey hit five three pointers to lead both teams with 17 points. Dowd scored 9 first half points to go along with Mackey's 9 for a 29-29 tie in the first half.

Early in the fourth quarter a couple of breaks went Forest's way, and they suddenly found themselves in possession of an 8 point lead. The Wildcats smelled victory and began to stall with more than six minutes left. The Wolves would have none of that, as deflections by Shepherd and steals by Jamel Gist and Dylan Bridges repeatedly returned the ball to the Wolves. Stymied most of the game, Shepherd pulled up in transition to knock down a three from NBA range. Bridges found Mackey wide open for another three, Hodges and Gist found their way to the line a couple of times and suddenly Newsome led the game by 3, 49-46.

Forest's Christian Caban managed to even the game up at the free throw line with 12.7 seconds left, setting up the final play. Mackey and Gist walked the ball up the court, then Mackey found Hodges in the corner. Nothing was available, so he kicked the ball back to Mackey, who looked inside, drawing Forest's Hunter Williams off Hodges toward the goal. Finding nothing inside, Mackey whipped the ball back to Hodges on the baseline. Williams surged out to defend but it was too late. With just one second left and out of time-outs, the Wildcats were unable to inbound the ball and the Wolves won 52-49. For more information and pictures, check out the Ocala Star-Banner.

Newsome will host the Bartow Yellowjackets Saturday at 7:00 PM. Wear Carolina blue.
 

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