By Dave Morrison
For a Woodrow Wilson team trying to find its identity, the final game of the Big Atlantic Classic offered an intriguing opportunity.
A team racked by ineligibility problems — not to mention a couple of transfers and the graduation of three 3-year starters — could cement a new starting point for a young team.
With Parkersburg South in town, which team would show up?
The team that has played well in taking halftime leads, or a new-look team that shows it can finish off an opponent?
Unfortunately for the Eagles, the latter reared its ugly head again.
Woodrow blew a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter, falling 66-59 to the Patriots.
“I thought we were going to do it tonight,” coach Ron Kidd said. “But I can’t fault the kids. I thought they played with pride and determination.”
Parkersburg South’s Chase Fieler had 37 points, including 15 in a row in the third quarter, and a game-changing steal and dunk with 1:40 left.
“I don’t think anybody stepped up to the challenge of stopping him on that play,” Kidd said. “You just can’t let him spin around like that and dunk it. You gotta make him earn that.”
Woodrow would tie it on a Larry Terry free throw, but that would be the last point Woodrow would score.
The Patriots made 7 of 8 free throws over the last 1:02.
Four of those were by Fieler, who was 14 of 17.
Matt Emerick added 17 for South.
Stephen Thompson had 14 for Woodrow, Cameron Shannon 13 and Curtis Estep and Terry 11 each.
The Flying Eagles opened a 34-24 lead at the break thanks to timely shooting from several players.
Terry started the game and ended the first quarter with a three-pointer as Woodrow grabbed an 18-11 lead.
Parkersburg South 66, Woodrow 59
Parkersburg South (12-3)
Sam Holtz 1 1-2 7, Matt Emerick 4 5-6 17, Garett Foggin 1 5-6 7, Michael Molinari 0 0-0 0, Chase Fieler 11 14-17 37, Matt Kestner 0 1-2 1, Kyle Johnson 0 0-2 0, Chris Neal 0 0-0 0, Bryan Cooper 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 26-35 66.
Woodrow Wilson (4-9)
Jay Webb 0 0-2 0, Stephen Thompson 5 4-5 14, Cameron Shannon 5 2-2 13, Curtis Estep 5 0-1 11, Larry Terry 4 1-2 11, Andrew Johnson 1 0-1 3, Stephen Lewis 2 3-3 7. Totals: 22 10-16 59.
PS 11 13 16 26 — 66
WW 18 16 13 12 — 59
Three-point goals: PS: 6 (Holtz, Emerick 4, Fieler); WW: 5 (Shannon, Estep, Terry 2, Johnson); Fouled out: PS: Molinari, Kestner; WW: Estep.
