By KENT COULTAS
Three players scored in double figures, and West Central beat Dwight 51-38 in the semifinals of the IESA 7-2A Boys’ Basketball State Tournament Jan. 31 at Meridian High School in Macon.
The Cougars (26-0) play Effingham St. Anthony (24-1) for the state championship Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
West Central led 23-11 at halftime before Dwight cut the margin to 30-26 late in the third quarter.
Ezra Barber converted a three-point and a short time later made a free throw to extend the lead 33-26 after three quarters.
Dwight got within 36-31 early in the fourth quarter. Knox Vortman and Andrew Metz both made three-point baskets, and Hudson Little scored as West Central extended the lead to 44-33.
West Central led 11-6 after one quarter and just 14-11 in the second quarter.
Maddox Chapman made a three-point basket to start a 9-0 run. Vortman scored twice, and Barber scored, and the Cougars led by 12 points at halftime.
Barber scored 17 points and had five rebounds and four assists to lead the winners. Vortman scored 11 points. Chapman scored 10 points and had four steals.
Little scored seven points, and Metz scored six.
Barber and Eli Coker combined for 37 points as the Cougars beat Stronghurst West Central 53-37 in the state quarterfinals.
The Cougars led 11-6 after one quarter and 24-13 at halftime. They extended the lead to 37-22 after three quarters.
Barber scored 21 points to lead West Central, and Coker scored 16.
Chapman scored six points, and Metz scored five. Little scored three points, and Easton Van Tuyle scored two.
