FISHERSVILLE — With less than five minutes left in the game, it looked like the third installment of Wilson Memorial vs. Staunton was going to go down to the wire.
And then it didn't.
Over the final four minutes and change Wilson Memorial turned a two-point lead into 20, pulling away for a 90-70 win over Staunton in the Region 3C boys basketball quarterfinals.
"This is a resilient group of kids," Wilson coach Jeremy Hartman said. "Our four captains — Ainsley, Keyvon, Mason and Addy — if you watch their facial expressions most of the time during the game they're pretty even-keeled. So when you have four leaders like that that don't get frustrated, they don't panic so when it's time to make a play they make a play."
Hartman said he preaches to the players to be at their best when their best is required. They did that late against Staunton.
With the win, Wilson (21-2) will host Liberty Christian Academy (18-7) on Feb. 25 in Fishersville. LCA edged Turner Ashby 59-57 in another quarterfinal matchup.
In what had been a close game throughout, Wilson opened up what seemed to be some breathing room in the fourth on back-to-back Ainsley McAllister 3-pointers and a pair of free throws from Keyvon Jones. The foul shots put Wilson in front by eight.
"Ainsley has made those shots all year when we need him to," Hartman said. "He came through in the clutch ... he makes winning plays when you need them and we needed them."
But Staunton still had one more punch left. Luc Geffrard scored on a 3-point play, hitting a bucket and free throw before Anthony Renne knocked down a 3-pointer. Wilson's Addy Flesher got the lead back up to four on two foul shots before Staunton freshman Legend Reed got a steal and dunk to cut Wilson's lead to 64-62 with 4:36 left in the game.
A technical foul on the other end of the court against Staunton resulted in a pair of free throws by Jones that started a 14-3 run by the Hornets. Staunton never recovered.
Wilson likes to get up and down the court and pressure its opponents throughout the game. That might have had an impact on the end of the game.
"The way we play isn't designed for the first, second or third quarter," Hartman said. "It's designed for the fourth. When you're not used to playing at that pace for 32 minutes and we are, it's eventually going to wear on you."
Wilson was led by its big three in scoring. Jones finished with 23 points, including 10-of-11 from the foul line, while Addy Flesher had 20 points and Mason McWhorter had 19. Flesher was 8-of-8 from the line and McWhorter hit all seven of his free throws as Wilson consistently got to the line and made its shots.
Wilson has won 21 straight games now since losing to Turner Ashby on Dec. 10. They avenged that loss three weeks later with a 21-point win over TA.
There's another loss they would like to avenge next. Wilson Memorial's season ended at the hands of LCA last season, losing 74-53 in the regional quarterfinals. This year the two will meet in the semifinals with the winner earning a spot in the Class 3 state playoffs.
Staunton (19-6) got 20 points from Renne in the senior's final game for the Storm. Junior Emari Wilson had 14 points and Reed had 12.
Region 3C boys basketball scores Feb. 23:
- No. 1 Western Albemarle 57, No. 8 East Rockingham 42
- No. 5 Rocktown 71, No. 4 Alleghany 47
- No. 6 LCA 59, No. 3 Turner Ashby 57
- No. 2 Wilson Memorial 90, No. 7 Staunton 70
Region 3C boys semifinals Feb. 25:
- No. 5 Rocktown at No. 1 Western Albemarle
- No. 6 LCA at No. 3 Wilson Memorial
Region 3C girls basketball scores Feb. 23:
- No. 1 Spotswood 69, No. 8 Heritage 28
- No. 5 Turner Ashby 49, No. 4 Broadway 38
- No. 3 Western Albemarle 49, No. 6 East Rockingham 36
- No. 2 LCA 64, No. 7 Wilson Memorial 37
Region 3C girls semifinals Feb. 25:
- No. 5 Turner Ashby at No. 1 Spotswood
- No. 3 Western Albemarle at No. 2 LCA
Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at [email protected] and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Wilson Memorial wears down Staunton in Region 3C basketball matchup