Cougars out-claw Wolverines in rematch

Wake Forest 53
Wakefield 44

WW PHOTO David Allen
With height, size and strength on his side, Wake Forest’s Dexter Lawrence (left) was a dominating force against Wakefield scoring 10 points, 11 rebounds and four steals.

by David Allen

WAKEFIELD — The Cougars once again batted down the Wolverines, winning the second meeting between the two rivals 53-44, on Wakefield’s home court, Friday.

After Wake Forest took a small lead in the first quarter on the heels of Cougar Dominic Loveless sinking two 3-pointers, Dexter Lawrence caused havoc under the basket and drew two fouls for a total of four free-throws. Lawrence’s efforts were enough to help the Cougars out-shoot the Wolverines 12-10 to end the half 25-22.

Lawrence scored a total of 10 points in the game, on top of 11 rebounds and four steals which made him the Maxpreps.com player of the game.

“Coach Bissette does a great job and we knew he’d be prepared,” Wake Forest coach Todd Seymour said. “We knew it was going to be a tough battle, and I thought we were able to take control of the game in the third quarter. I would have liked to see us close the game out better and not be as sloppy but this has been coming for us.

“We’ve been playing really well and we’re at the point of the season where we think we can win every game and we will play like that going forward.”

Wakefield seemed unable to hold onto Wake Forest in the third quarter with Lawrence scoring four more points under the basket and Loveless sinking another 3-pointer. They stretched their lead to 41-33.

WW PHOTO David Allen
Wake Forest senior Shahmad Coleman, No. 3, goes up for a shot against Wakefield.

Although Wakefield needed to start making their shots and were still within range of getting back into the game, they were unable to break 11 points in the second half, letting Wake Forest coast by despite Wolverine guard Quentin Whitley nailing a 3-pointer and two free-throws.

“When you stay on 33 points for about five minutes in the fourth quarter and you turn a close ball game into a 15-point deficit — you’re not going to win a lot of them,” said Wakefield coach Mickey Bissette. “Their zone was effective and we were rushing shots and not making them. It was sloppy and we got the ball into good places sometimes and it didn’t go. We have a tough week next week so we’ve got to think about it over the weekend and figure out where to go.”

Wakefield hosts Broughton Friday at 8 p.m. and Wake Forest plays at Leesville Road at the same time.