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Fast-paced Warriors too much for Patton Panthers

Todd Huffman | The News Herald

Patton High basketball player Nick Newton, No. 23.

By Bryan Lail

Published: December 18, 2008

Morganton — It's hard to endure a rough start.
The Patton High Panthers struggled to begin their contest against the West Caldwell Warriors Tuesday and in the end, lost 62-29.
The Warriors set the tone of the game early, forcing three consecutive turnovers, all of which resulted in scores. Two layups and a backbreaking- three later, Patton committed a fourth turnover but managed to limit the damage, regaining possession for the first successful look of the night as Patton's Reggie Washington dumped an easy lay-in.
"West does a real good job," said Patton head boys' basketball coach Chad Keller. "They came here to play and we weren't really ready to play tonight."
Unfortunately for the Panthers, the early score, one of only two for Patton in the first quarter, failed to deter the hard-charging Warriors, who quickly applied added pressure after gaining with a full-court press.
Despite breaking through the press, Patton committed another half-court turnover.
Offensive rebounds by the Warriors continued to provide opportunities for West Caldwell to run up the score as open looks failed to result in points on the other end for Patton.
West Caldwell never let up, even with a first quarter 19-4 lead and a defensive stand by the Panthers to begin the second quarter, and they managed to swipe another ball and run down court to pick up one of many fouls the Panthers were forced to commit on the night.
Patton's Nick Holland dropped one in for the Panthers' first second-quarter score, following it up with a block on a fast-breaking Yeaster Lewis of West Caldwell.
In response, West Caldwell simply continued to drop open looks from three-point range even as Patton managed to match the Warriors offensive intensity with their own aggressive defense.
"They moved, they're patient," said Keller. "They didn't force any shots, they moved the ball from side to side until they found a good shot."
Tyler Woody provided another block for Patton to open the second half, now down 49-23. Nick Newton grabbed the ball on the ensuing possession and bulldozed down court to draw a foul, leading to two free throws.
"Tyler is very active and sometimes he can get to a shot that some of the others can't," said Keller. "They were hustle plays, Tyler does that all time, I was happy to see that out of him."
Effort was there all night, as Woody made another block late in the third. Down as many as 30 late in the game, Marius Harshaw and Woody continued to dive for loose balls despite the lop-sided score.
"That's what we have to do to win, for us to even compete," said Keller. "We've been doing those things well and I'm proud of them for that."