WILLIAMSON, W.Va - The Williamson Wolfpack have waited awhile for the sweet savoring of sectional tournament success to return to this storied program. Four years to be exact. Yet Friday night’s defeat of the Gilbert Lions seemed like old hat to the ‘Pack.

“It’s always nice to get a sectional win and it shows what our kids can do when they everything clicks right” said veteran ‘Pack Head Coach Curt Fletcher, a coach who has 5 state championships as a Wolfpack player, Asst. Coach and Head Coach to his record. “We did all the little things right and that’s what wins.”

“They did what good teams do to win, like hitting their free throws and making good shots.” said Gilbert Coach Walt Cline. “Last time we met, we made the free throws. This time, they hit them - and it sealed the win for them.”

The Wolfpack got off to a 6- 0 lead on Gilbert led b Micahel Davidson who hit a field goal and then a three-pointer.. The Lions roared back however, getting three unanswered baskets and took over the lead 9 to 7 and didn’t allow the Wolfpack any more 1st quarter points and went into the second frame leading 13 to 7.

It was in the second quarter that the Wolfpack caught fire, as both Jarrid McCormick and Davidson had hot hands getting 5 points each. The ‘Pack defense swarmed the Lions forcing a lot of turnovers and hurried shots which resulted in the ‘Pack outscoring the Lions 15 to 4 in the period and taking a 22 to 17 lead into halftime.

The third quarter saw the Wolfpack defense just as effective as they forced the Lions into taking a lot of chances both in passing and shooting. Led by Alex Anderson, who came out in the quarter hot on both ends of the court and Bobby Hurley who was being a defensive force under the basket, the ‘Pack outscored the Lions 11 to 5 in the period and took a 32 to 22 10 point lead into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter saw a lot of scoring by both teams. The Wolfpack came out strong on defense early, but Gilbert was unrelenting in their quest to come back. With the hopes of defending their title slipping away with each tick of the clock, the Lions started shooting threes and much to the dismay of the ‘Pack, were sinking them with relative ease, They hit 4 consecutive three pointers to narrow the lead. But then the Lions began fouling with about 3 minutes remaining to force the ‘Pack to beat them at the line. The ‘Pack responded by hitting 16 of 17 from the charity stripe in the period to seal the win. Alex Anderson hit 10 of 11 and Jarrid McCormick, Nick Turner and Chris Hatcher were each a perfect 2 for 2 in the quarter from the line.

“Alex, Jarrid, Chris and then Nick off the bench stepped up for us when it counted and hit those free throws and that’s one of those fundamental things we tell them yo must do if you want to win. And tonight, they did.” Fletcher said. “Now we have to get ready to do it again against Matewan, who’ve got a really solid team.”

Scoring by Quarters:

Williamson 7 15 11 19 - 51

Gilbert 13 4 5 24 - 46

Scoring by Team:

Williamson: Alex Anderson 15, Michael Davidson 10, Jarrid McCormick 10, Chris Hatcher 9, Chuckie White 3, Nick Lee 2, Nick Turner 2.

Gilbert: Dalton Bailey 10, Chris Carter 8, Travis Hatfield 6, Cody Houck 6, Josh Carter 4, Ashton CLine 4, Aaron Birchfield 3, Corey Robinette 3, Kyle Smith 2. Cody Houck 6,