By: Eddy Gifford, Publisher

The Dade County Wolverine basketball team made a return trip to the state tournament last week as the third seed from Region 7AA.

In their opening game they traveled to Wesleyan to face the second seeded team from Region 6AA.

The two teams matched up well and the home–standing Wesleyan team took an early lead.

After several early lead changes the Wolverines found themselves down at the end of the first quarter 22-19.

The second quarter was more of the same as the two teams battled each other for every point and fought for every loose ball. By the end of the first half Wesleyan still held a slim lead over Dade 38-36.

The pace of the game slowed in the third quarter as the two teams matched baskets but only managed 13 points each so heading into the fourth quarter Wesleyan led 51-49.

As the clock ran down the pace picked up with the two teams continuing to challenge every shot but just before the game ended the Wolverines tied the game and sent it into overtime, 68-68.

The overtime was all Wolverines as they outscored the host 12-4 to claim the first round win and advance to the Sweet Sixteen, 80-72.

Cole Birchfield led the Wolverines with 34 points followed by Clynt Bell with 22 and Dustin Howard with 10.

Howard also grabbed 10 rebounds and Birchfield had 10 rebounds.

Dade   19  17  13  19  12   80

Wes.   22  16  13  17   4    72

Dade County (80)-Cole Birchfield 34, Castleberry, Dustin Howard 10, Chitwood, Sharp, Smith, Clynt Bell 22, Gaddis 8, Walden 3, Page 3

Three Point Field Goals:  Dade County 10 (Birchfield 3, Bell 5, Gaddis, Walden)

Other highlights:  Birchfield 10r; Howard 12r; Page 7r

On Saturday the Wolverines traveled to Jordan High School in Columbus for the Sweet Sixteen match-up.

The first quarter of play was wide open with both teams burning the nets at a fast pace and when the quarter was over Jordan held a one point lead, 26-25.

The Jordan quickness began to take effect in the second quarter and at the end of the first half Jordon had built a 54–38 lead. The host outscored the Wolverines 28-13 in the second quarter.

In the second half Jordan continued to give Dade trouble with their quickness and by the end of the third quarter had built a 20 point lead, 73-53.

The Wolverines tried to rally in the fourth quarter but the host had too much speed. When the game and the Wolverines’ season ended Jordan claimed a 97-79 win.

Birchfield again led the Wolverines with 28 points while Bell finished with 18, Jarrett Page 12 and Howard 11.

Dade’s season ended with a 19-9 overall record.

Dade     25   13   15   26    79

Jordan  26   28   19   24    97

Dade (79)-Cole Birchfield 28, Stephens, Castleberry, Dustin Howard 11, Chitwood 4, Sharp, Lawrence, Smith, Clynt Bell 18, Gaddis 6, Walden, Jarrett Page 12

Three Point Field Goals:  Dade 9 (Birchfield 2, Chitwood, Bell 6)

Other highlights:  Birchfield 7r, 5a; Gaddis 6a; Howard 7r, 5b