Despite a slow start, Dorman opened up a double-digit halftime lead and cruised to a 71-37 victory over Northwestern in the first round of the 5A boys basketball playoffs on Wednesday.
Dorman used an 18-8 second quarter run to grab control of a game they trailed 10-9 after the first quarter. The Trojans cut the advantage to 27-22 early in the third, but the Cavaliers finished the frame on a 20-9 run to put the game away.
“I was proud of our guys’ effort,” Cavaliers coach Thomas Ryan said. “Northwestern came in doing exactly what we expected. We knew they were a team that was physical and really hit the boards hard. They did that early. Without us hitting shots early, we didn’t get into a flow. The second quarter we started making a few shots. Overall defensively all night we were outstanding.”
Myles Tate scored 18 points to lead Dorman, with Zach Butler adding 10. Eleven Cavaliers scored in the contest.
The Cavaliers move on to host Hillcrest, a first-round winner over Easley, at 7 pm. Saturday.
Dorman will be joined in Saturday action by Spartanburg, an upset winner over Clover on Wednesday. The No. 3-seeded Vikings went on the road and knocked off the No. 2-seeded Blue Eagles 48-45.
Talon Cooper’s 3-pointer at the buzzer stunned Clover and capped Spartanburg’s comeback from a 25-16 halftime deficit.
Cooper’s shot answered a late Clover 3-pointer that had tied the game at 45.
The Vikings were led by Uzziah Dawkins with 18 points, while Cooper and Romaine Kelly each finished with 11 points.
Spartanburg will travel to T.L. Hanna for Friday night’s second round.
In other 5A boys action, Byrnes fell to Fort Mill 49-45.
The defending 4A state champions were led by Hayden Brown with 18 points, while Dreek Morgan added nine points. Ryan Herriot led Fort Mill with 15 points.
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