Cedar Crest 70 Wilson 61: wrap

Written by: Dell Jackson on January 15, 2024

Cedar Crest 70 Wilson 61
January 13, 2024

Both teams are highly ranked in the District 3 6A power rankings (currently Wilson is 6th and Cedar Crest is 7th). Normally one would expect a grind out low scoring affair especially on the Wilson side – not even close. This group of Bulldogs can shoot the ball from distance, and it is their strength this season (10 triples for the contest). Crest was taller and used their advantage on the inside especially in the second half (14-6 advantage ). Cedar Crest’s coach Tommy Smith’s crew was excited to play a Saturday afternoon game. “We were looking forward to this game…very excited to play Wilson,” stated the head coach. Wilson was down one of their top players, Tommy Hunsicker, 6’ sn.

The Falcons entered the game averaging between 4-5 three-balls per game, and they finished with 5 for the contest. In the first period they netted 3 triples (RJ Young, Fernando Marquez and Danny Speaks -an acrobatic-twisty 3 at the end of the quarter). Wilson led early on a three-ball by Correll Akings , 5’10” sophomore. 5-1 Bulldogs at the 6:25 mark of the first. Cedar Crest’s bigs took over the scoring for the Falcons. Aiden Schomp, 6’6” sn, RJ Young, 6’6” jn and Fernando Marquez, 6’2” senior scored the Falcons next 18 points. The BIG Falcons scored on layups, posts, foul shots, jumpers drives and even popped 2 triples during the run. Wilson hung in using their 3 point game (3 during the first). The quarter ended on a spectacular forced three ball by Danny Speaks on the left side of the arc as time expired. 22-15 Crest after one.

Wilson would again use its three-point shooting to keep close. Back-to-back threes by Madyx Gruber, 5’10” jn., cut the lead to 24-23 at the 5:40 mark of the second. With the count at 26-24 Crest’s Leo Tirado, 5’9”senior, stepped up – scoring on a three-ball and a run out. Tirado seemed to make big plays on both ends the entire game. His defense was outstanding as he put pressure on Wilson’s guards throughout the contest. Crest seemed to be in total control after a Marquez drive -37-27 Crest at the :50 mark. As the Dawgs did all day, Wilson would not go away. Wilson scored the last 5 points of the period- the last on a triple by Tom McFadden, 5’11” jn. Crest 37-32 at the break.

After yet another three-ball by Wilson, the Falcons ripped off a 10-0 run as they slowly pushed their lead up to 10 at 47-37 . A Jackson Custer bucket at the 45 second mark of the period upped Crest’s lead to 11. However, as they did all game, Wilson nailed another three ball as the quarter ended 52-44.

Wilson switched their defense in the 4th. The Dawgs used a half court trap to try to speed up the game and negate Crest’s inside game. Wilson turned the Falcons over 5 times in the quarter and crawled their way back in the contest. In fact Wilson was within 4 points at 60-56 with under 3 minutes to go. Crest called timeout to settle things down on their offensive end. Tirado would score a HUGE bucket on a runner to give the Falcons a 62-56 advantage. Late in the game, Cedar Crest made 4/6 foul shots down the stretch to claim a 70-61 victory.

Player of Game, Leo Tirado talked about his game. “We knew they were talented…I’m more of a defensive guy..,.I always want to guard the other teams best player.” Fernando Marquez was also outstanding tonight. He finished with 21 and provided the Falcons with a lot of energy on both ends of the floor.