The Dewar Dragons added one more win to their record ahead of the Area II Class A District Tournament scheduled for Friday, Feb. 14. Dewar sophomore Thomas Brownfield helped the Dragons topple New Lima in a close 59- 56 victory. Brownfield secured 23 points against the Falcons, shooting down seven 2’s and one 3-pointer. The Falcons, who are 13-12, had a tough time controlling the court against Brownfield’s 2-point game, resulting in the Dragons’ 3-point victory.
The Dewar Dragons added one more win to their record ahead of the Area II Class A District Tournament scheduled for Friday, Feb. 14. Dewar sophomore Thomas Brownfield helped the Dragons topple New Lima in a close 59-56 victory. Brownfield secured 23 points against the Falcons, shooting down seven 2’s and one 3-pointer. The Falcons, who are 13-12, had a tough time controlling the court against Brownfield’s 2-point game, resulting in the Dragons’ 3-point victory.
Fouls and a 2-point campaign from Falcon Beau Driggers was the only saving grace for New Lima, but the Dragons improved their record to 12-7 with Brownfield locking down the basket and the Dragons’ success rate at the free-throw line. Dewar completed 62 percent of their free throw shots, earning 19 of 31 total baskets.
Aiming to continue their recent win streak, the Dragons came out strong in the first quarter. Brownfield kickstarted a 20-point scoring streak, hitting his first 2-point shot. A foul on Dewar junior Baylor Selby allowed the Dragons to tack on an additional point. Brownfield picked up where he left off and scored his second 2-pointer and would make it back to the basket for another two buckets. Dewar junior Joey Fowler and Selby also busted out 2-pointers.
Dewar had locked down the basket to garner 13 points when Brownfield and sophomore James Brison went on a seven-point scoring tear. Brison sunk his first bucket and Brownfield shot down a 3-pointer. While the Dragons were taking down shot after shot, the Falcons had been matching their pace. New Lima focused on getting to the basket and earned five 2’s but it was fouls that allowed them to close in on the Dragons. Five free throws cut into the Dragons’ lead at the end of the quarter, leaving them with a 20-15 advantage.
Though it seemed they had begun to slip defensively, the Dragons held the Falcons to nine points in the second quarter. New Lima scored three 2’s and one 3-pointer, which allowed the Dragons to extend their lead mostly from the free-throw line. Fowler, Brison and Brownfield all made it to the basket for a 2-pointer, but the Dragons struggled to find the same momentum they had in the first quarter. Free throw shots made up for the lack of buckets with Selby and Brownfield securing three additional points. The Falcons also sent Dewar freshman Tryton Mack to the line for two shots. Adding 11 points to the scoreboard, the Dragons rose to take hold of a 31-24 advantage.
At the end of the first half, the Dragons had built up a seven-point lead. Another round of fouls in the third quarter, paired with Brownfield’s 2-point shot, led to an even bigger deficit for the Falcons. New Lima was once again able to reach double digits, earning 10 points in the third quarter, but it wasn’t enough to touch Dewar’s lead.
The Falcons scored five 2’s and two free throws, while the Dragons rallied for a 14-point scoring streak. Two consecutive 2-pointers from Fowler spurred the Dragons into their third straight double-digit scoring streak. New Lima fouled Selby on his drive to the basket, garnering an additional three points for the Dragons. Another foul on Brison brought the Dragons to 39 points. Making it to the basket, Brownfield scored another pair of 2’s and Mack secured his first 2-pointer.
The Dragons took hold of a 45-34 lead in the fourth quarter, but the Falcons revived their offense and came close to overturning the Dragons’ 11-point advantage. New Lima led a 22-point comeback in the fourth quarter with the help of Driggers, who scored four 2’s and three free throws. The Falcons resurrected their chances and came close to earning a win. However, fouls kept the Dragons on the scoreboard. Fowler, Selby and Brownfield scored six free throws, earning half of the Dragons 12-point boost from the free-throw line. After the free throw showdown, Brison led a tough campaign to the basket and sunk his third 2-pointer. Mack and Selby assisted with 2-point shots of their own, while Fowler shot down a pair of 2’s.
The Dragons managed to pull ahead and secure a 3-point victory over the New Lima Falcons, 59-56. The victory improved the Dragons’ record to 12-7.
