Dixon’s Freethrow Helps Wi-Hi Escape Parkside With Win
The Wi-Hi boys basketball team fought the whole game, and just when it looked like the Rams had forced overtime, a sophomore pulled a veteran move that would put his team over the top. Devonta Dixon would corral a rebound with just seconds left in a tied ball game, feel a little contact and fall forward to draw the foul call. The guard then stepped to the line, and after missing the first, netted the second with 1.5 seconds left to send the Indians into the 3rd round of the state playoffs with a incredible 60-59 win over Parkside.
The Indians came out of the gate with their foot on the gas pedal. Jojo Brittingham would have his shooting stroke going, finishing with 9 of his team high 18 points in the first quarter alone to get it started, while Barry Gaines Jr. was seemingly everywhere on the floor, grabbing rebounds, scoring in transition, and blocking shots. The Rams then got going after Raequan Williams would connect on a couple outside shots, followed by a 3-ball to beat the buzzer at the end of the 1st by Jontuse Wise.
The Indians continued to battle in the second quarter, as Corey Jones would knock down a couple shots from the outside to stretch the lead to 7. The Rams came marching back though, as Gary Briddell recorded a block on 4 consecutive possessions, leading to scores the other way. Xavier Waters would then be able to get to the rack for a couple buckets as well to trim into the lead as the Indians would nurse a 30-28 at the half. The teams continued to exchange buckets in the 3rd quarter as Wi-Hi would still hold onto a 47-41 lead going to the 4th after Gaines would get a tough lay in to drop. The Tribe then fought through a lot of contact on the wings and were able to push their lead to 10 with 6 minutes to go in the 4th quarter.
But the Rams had one last run left in them.
Williams would come up with back to back transition lay ins, followed by a couple free throws by Watters as the Rams would pull even. Then with 1 minute left with the Rams down 1, Briddell would get a pass underneath and be able to finish to give Parkside the lead. Wi-Hi then answered as Gaines pushed the rock right to the front of the rim, where he was able to draw the foul. After struggling all night from the line, the senior was able to step up and knock down the first one to tie up the game.
The Rams then had the ball with 30 seconds left with a chance to win it. They would work the ball down, eventually with Wise getting an open look at a 3, but he would find the back iron and be off the mark. That’s when Dixon would grab the rebound, and make the heads up play after feeling the contact. After giving his team a 1 point lead by making the second free throw, the Rams would have 1 last chance with 1.5 seconds left. Waters would get the in bounds, take two dribbles before throwing up a 3/4 quarter, with some contact from Dixon. The ball would come up short, and it would be a no-call on the contact, giving Wi-Hi the win.
The Indians advance to face Queen Anne’s on Wednesday.
