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By Rick Sheets

Sports Editor

Lenoir News-Topic

GAMEWELL – West Caldwell’s basketball team isn’t missing a beat.

The Class 2A state playoffs began on Tuesday night, and the Warriors hammered West Stanly 89-43 at Anderson/Trivett Court for their 17th-straight victory.

“We’re just trying to keep working and advancing,” said sophomore Jordan Patterson, who delivered 19 points, 11 rebounds and four steals. “Work and advance — make a deep run in the playoffs.

West Caldwell (25-2) hosts Community School of Davidson (18-9) in Thursday night’s West Region second-round game. Community School of Davidson defeated R-S-Central Tuesday night in Rutherfordton.

Jayden Maddox paced the Warriors with 22 points. The senior transfer also had eight boards and seven steals, while draining four 3-pointers.

The Colts led 17-10 after one period, before West stormed on a 15-0 run. An 11-0 flurry saw the Warriors in charge 36-22 at intermission after the period was closed with five points from Zion Thomas.

“Focus on D, playing as a team,” Maddox said. “We had to get our mindset right, because we were just forcing the ball, throwing it out of bounds everywhere.”

Maddox opened the third quarter with his third 3-pointer. The 16-0 run put the rout at 41-22.

Patterson dunked off a steal. West led by 34, before Carson Morton hit a buzzer-beating trey to pull the Colts within 67-36.

“They hit some tough shots early, but we didn’t do a good enough job turning them over and creating pressure – which is what we do best,” West Caldwell coach Billy Anderson said. “Obviously we did that a little later, and came back to what we do.”

Thomas hit 11 points, including three 3-pointers. The Warriors connected on 14 treys.

West Caldwell ruled the glass 52-32, and was 5 of 9 at the foul line.

“Passing the ball, really,” Maddox said. “Setting it on defense, as well. We had to get them trapped.”

Malek Patterson tossed in eight points. Scoring six apiece were Truit McKinney and Ayden Bollinger.

Tristin Harper grabbed five boards and Dallas Fox pulled down four. Harper, McKinney and Mason Anthony, who blocked a shot, made three steals each.

Bolinger came up with two steals.

“The good thing is we got some buckets from guys who hadn’t had that chance,” Anderson said. “I was very happy for all those guys. Ayden comes in and hits two 3s, and Carson (McMasters) hits a big 3 in the corner.

“Those guys are such good guys, I’m so happy for them,” Anderson added.

West Stanly got 18 points from Jaxson Hinton, who hit four 3-pointers. Morton made three treys, and Jesse Boone hauled in nine rebounds.

The Colts were 5 of 6 on free throws.

“Playing defense wins ball games,” Jordan Patterson said. “We set on things. Move the ball, get the ball movement – we’re unstoppable. We move the ball like that, get threes … everything.”