Woodlawn Prep’s second major goal — winning the District 2 Championship — is in the books, and now the Wolfpack are moving onto their final goal: State.
As the top team from District 2, the Wolfpack (20-3) earned a first-round bye in the Class 2A Tournament and will take the court in the quarterfinals Thursday at 4 p.m. at Delta Academy. Woodlawn will play either West Memphis (District 1 No. 3) or Central (La.) (District 3 No. 4), who squared off Tuesday night after press deadline.
Woodlawn beat Central 58-36 in November but hasn’t played West Memphis. Wolfpack head coach Cliff East said West Memphis looks like a very strong and athletic team that could present some major challenges for Woodlawn.
East said the initial goal is to win Thursday because it would guarantee at least two more games—a semifinal matchup and either a state championship or third-place game. If the Wolfpack finish in the top three, their season will be extended in the MAIS Overall Tournament next week.
To become the No. 1 team from District 2, Woodlawn Prep had to make it through the district tournament last week at Prentiss Christian and claimed the title Saturday night after beating Sharkey Issaquena Academy.
“It’s been special because four years ago, we started this program from scratch. So many of these guys have worked extremely hard to get to where we’re at,” East said. “A couple of these seniors have been here from the very beginning in Wallace Farmer and Grant Vowell. They took a lot of losses the first couple of years, but it just goes to show you when you dedicate yourself to something and put in the work, good things will happen. I’m just so proud of these guys and our school.”
Coming off a first-round bye, Woodlawn Prep wasted no time jumping on Prentiss Christian to lead by 13 points at halftime on its way to a 50-33 victory against the host school. Senior Brock Reed put on a show with 24 points and made four 3-pointers to pace the Wolfpack. Drayson Patterson added nine points, and Braylon Reed contributed eight points.
Sharkey gave Woodlawn all it could handle, but the Wolfpack managed to fend off Sharkey’s fourth-quarter comeback attempt to win the district championship 67-65. Woodlawn built a six-point lead in the first half and was up by that same margin going into the fourth quarter, which was enough to withstand being outscored 22-18 in the final stanza.
“It was an exciting game but a little bit too exciting,” East said jokingly. “It came down to the final 1.1 seconds, but I’m very happy for all of our guys and all that they have accomplished this year.”
With Woodlawn leading 66-65, Cole Sinclair made the first of two free throws then missed the second. Sharkey attempted a full-court shot to win it, but it was nowhere close, sealing the game for the Wolfpack. That came on the heels of Sharkey eliminating a double-digit Woodlawn lead in just a couple of minutes and tying the game up with about 30 seconds to go.
East stuck with his starting five for nearly the entire game, and they were the only players who scored for Woodlawn. Brock Reed led the way with 21 points, followed by Sinclair with 19 points, Braylon Reed and Tanner Tullos with 10 each and Patterson with seven. Brock Reed, Braylon Reed, Sinclair and Patterson made the all-tournament team.
The Confederates did a tremendous job limiting Woodlawn’s usually potent perimeter scoring, keeping the Wolfpack to just two 3-pointers, which is well below their season average. East said Sharkey’s full-court pressure every possession forced the Wolfpack to play at a pace they’re not used to.
The Class 2A Tournament is being broadcasted on YouTube.
