February 02, 2012 @ 9:38 am

Wilson’s fourth-quarter comeback enough to edge Foss

In a game where offensive stagnation for three quarters was the rule rather than the exception, the Wilson Rams overcame a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Foss Falcons by a score of 38-35 on Wednesday night to lay claim at least a share of the Narrows League 3A championship.

“Kevin (Johnson), Phoenix (Waters) and Jaiden (Martin) all have the heart of a champion, and we finished the job when we had to,” said a jubilant but drained Wilson head coach Dave Alwert, as his Rams remained unbeaten in league play at 8-0 (16-2 overall). Foss fell to 3-4, one game behind

Capital for the third playoff spot to the West Central District with three games left to play.

Trailing 18-14 entering the third quarter, the Rams came out flat, as Noah Hunthausen led a third-quarter charge with five points to send the Falcons to a 33-20 lead entering the fourth quarter. That’s when the Wilson defense took over.

“We just came out and knew they would try to go baseline, but we took it away from them,” said junior guard Ben Matz, who lit a spark under the Rams with two three-pointers in the quarter. While the defense began to turn back the Falcons at every trip down court (two points on two free throws total in the quarter), Wilson began to find their scoring shoes Johnson and Matz hit back-to-back three-pointers to trim the Foss lead to 33-30, halfway through the quarter.

“We picked up our intensity on both ends of the court and it got us the win,” added Johnson.

After Waters hit two foul shots with just over three minutes to go to trim the Foss lead to 34-32, Matz drilled a three-pointer from the right corner with 2:23 left to give the Rams the lead at 35-34 as the Wilson faithful erupted.

Leading 38-35 with just under ten seconds to go, Dezmyn Trent was long with a three-pointer from straight away but retained possession with three seconds left, but Sean Williams missed a fade away jumper 25 footer as time expired.

“We have to think about Timberline on Friday and Lincoln on Wednesday and finish the season strong,” said Alwert. “I’m so proud of these kids and the banner that we’re going to hang in our Gym.”