Central Lee ousted from districts by WB

WEST BURLINGTON – Their last game wasn’t quite as close as the previous meeting, but Central Lee gave good game regardless in a 76-59 loss to West Burlington in Class 2A Substate 4 basketball post-season action, ending the Hawks’ year.
Mason Watkins led all scorers with 34 points for West Burlington and he had 29 in the last game with a defense the Hawks used aimed at making Watkins beat them on his own. That strategy almost paid off on Jan. 23 when Central Lee lost 60-57.
But on Thursday the Falcons also got 14 from Brady Martin, 12 from Quincy Collins and eight from Ayden Figuereo to compliment Watkins and come away with the win to stay undefeated at 20-0. The Falcons will take on West Branch in the district title game on Tuesday in West Liberty.
The Falcon’s Coach Cody Van Fleet sniffed out the prowess of freshman Carson Morrison who flashed onto the varsity scene in the last four games averaging about 14 points a game. Morrison was held to just six points on two three pointers. Central Lee turned to Will Hayes and Brayden Wyrick inside for their points with the Falcons guarding the perimeter. Wyrick, who’s led the Hawks most of the year in scoring and rebounding, had 21 points to lead Central Lee. Hayes finished with 15, a dozen coming in the second half.
Cory Jones had 12 points, six boards, and three blocks for the Hawks.
Wyrick had 11 boards and a block for Central Lee.
West Burlington opened up a 10-point lead at the half, but then put up 24 points in the third period to take a 21-point lead at 61-40 heading into the final period with the game in hand.
Central Lee finishes the season at 11-12 and 6-8 in the SEI Superconference South Division.
Wyrick finished his junior year averaging just under 15 points per game and seven boards. He shot 53% from the field. Hayes was just under 10 points per outing with 4.5 boards per game and shot 57% from the field. Sophomore Owen Swan scored at 10 point per game clip and led the Hawks with 4.5 assists per game.