Wildcats boys open season with win and brand new lineup

Valdese- It was a brand new day for the Draughn boys basketball team, coming off a conference championship season last winter.

The Wildcats looked ahead with a brand new starting lineup and dominated in Tuesday's season opener winning 83-43 over West Lincoln.

"The kids came out and played hard and played together after not even getting a true practice together," said Draughn assistant coach Drew McGuire. "I thought we did a good job on defense and let that lead us to easy transition baskets on offense."

The new Wildcats starting five featured seniors Braxton Cox, Denver Treadway, and Nick Chrisco fresh off a historic football season along with returning players senior Isaac Walker and sophomore Daylin Pritchard.

After a 16-7 first-quarter lead, Walker took charge scoring 12 of his game-high 24 points to give Draughn (1-0) a 22 point advantage (41-19) at the halftime break.

Pritchard (11), Zach Poteet (8), and Marshall Byrd (5) were key second-half scorers to finish off the win against a Rebels team coached by former DHS coach Chad Wright.

"It's going to be a fun season and I really look forward to it with the group of guys we have," said McGuire.

GIRLS: Draughn 75, West Lincoln 38

The Lady Wildcats played their second consecutive game of the week and earned their first win of the season with three starters sharing the scoring lead.

"We needed this win after having a tough game (with South Caldwell), I think we had a lot of girls contribute offensively and I'm excited to have a lot of scorers," said Lady Wildcats coach Liz Taylor.

Returners Haley Lowman and Bailey Shuping and first-year player Ella Abernathy each scored a game-high 12 points to lead Draughn.

Abernathy hit the first-quarter three-pointer as part of a 11-0 run while a second-quarter layup by Lowman gave the Lady Wildcats a 20 point lead.

Lowman and Hailey Kincaid were also key defenders with Kincaid getting a fourth-quarter assist to Abby Parker.

The Wildcats stay home next Tuesday hosting St. Stephens.

-VERSE OF THE DAY-
"keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life"
-Jude 1:21

GIRLS

Draughn 75, West Lincoln 38

WL      4          15       13       6

D         19       21       16       19

Haley Lowman 12, Bailey Shuping 12, Ella Abernathy 12, Abby Parker 10, H Kincaid 8, K Kincaid 8, Owens 8, Edwards 2, Cozort 2, Powell 1

BOYS

Draughn 83, West Lincoln 43

WL      7          12       14       10

D         16       25       17       25

Isaac Walker 24, Daylin Pritchard 19, Treadway 9, Byrd 9, Poteet 8, Chrisco 5, Cox 4, Z Pritchard 2, King 2, Nelson 1