Indians Down Warriors; Waller Hits 750 Mark

Two Bayside competitors took the court Tuesday night with the victor at the end of the night being the Wicomico High School boy’s basketball team, downing Easton in overtime, 59-55, to advance to the third round of the state tournament. The victory also marked head coach Butch Waller’s 750th victory, as the Indians improve to 21-1 for the season.

The game played in favor of the Warriors for the first half into the second, as Easton took a 30-26 advantage into halftime. Tray’von Emory led all scorers at the break with 15 points, and he wouldn’t slow down there. But neither would WiHi’s Nelson Brown.

Trailing by three in the fourth, Brown pulled down an offensive rebound, muscled his way back up to the rim for the finish, drawing the foul, and finishing the three-point play at the line to draw the score even.

Getting the ball back with 3:53, Coach Waller decided to change the pace of the game altogether, holding the ball for the last shot. Indians’ Torrey Brittingham with double coverage on the drive found Lionel Batson underneath, but tough pressure by Easton’s Leon Flournoy made the layup attempt a struggle for Batson, sending the game to overtime.

Brown and Batson recorded the first two baskets in extra time to push the WiHi lead to four, but Emory would get his squad back within two with a strong finish at the rim. One last time for Easton and the balls back in Emory’s hands, getting to the rim but unable to finish. Sending Brown to the charity stripe, two free throws put the game away, as WiHi holds off Easton, 59-55.

Emory finished with a game-high 25 points, while Brown paced the Indians with a double-double 22 points and 10 rebounds.

WiHi will host the winner of tomorrow’s second-round game between Parkside and Queen Anne.