The Woodside Wolverines didn't want to experience the pain they did two years ago when the Landstown Eagles came in their gym and halted the Newport News program's season on a buzzer-beater in the regional semifinals. That sent Landstown moving on to the State Tournament.

This time, the Wolverines vowed it would be different. Thanks to a transition game that routinely came up with key buckets and ice cold shooting by the Eagles in the second half, Woodside marched on with a 53-45 victory that earned them their first State Tournament trip since 2005.

"I didn't want to have that same feeling from two years ago. We took it play-by-play and the crowd did help us," said senior point guard Devante Carter. "We came out, played hard and got the job done."

With a 9-5 spurt to end the first quarter, Woodside claimed a 15-14 lead. Landstown turned to its bench in the second quarter and it gave them a lift, including three baskets by Brent Stukes to close the gap to 23-22 with 1:54 before half-time.

At the break, it was Woodside in the lead by a count of 25-22, thanks largely to junior TahJay Jacobs scoring nine points with Carter chipping in eight points and seven rebounds.

It was in the third quarter that the Wolverines seized firm control. Senior forward Chris Orlina scored only one field goal in the first half, though was much more aggressive attacking the basket over the final 16 minutes. It resulted in him scoring a game-high 15 points, going 9-of-11 at the foul line.

Landstown, which came in having 11 of its past 12 games and knew a victory would secure their third straight State Playoff berth, had a miserable third quarter offensively. The Eagles went 1-of-7 from the field during the period with five turnovers. Their three points in the quarter put them behind 35-25 on the road heading into the final stanza.

"Our guys absolutely battled. They've take on the defensive identity the last couple games. They're locking up and rebounding," commented Woodside's interim Head Coach, Steve Jecewiz.

"I thought we got killed in the first half on the glass and that was an area where we've been really good the last couple games. Our guys got locked in containing the straight-line drive, started to get stops and that got our offense going, too. We knew our best offense would be good defense."

To Jecewiz' point, the Wolverines limited Landstown to just nine rebounds in the second half after getting out-rebounded 19-16 through two periods of play. With outside shots not falling, the Eagles found it difficult to rally.

A fast-break dunk by Jacobs built the Wolverines' lead to 45-32 midway through the fourth quarter. Landstown got a three-pointer from Daryus Evans with 1:30 to play in the game, but it was their lone make behind the arc in the second half. It also came after they dug a fairly deep hole with a 3-for-15 start from the field coming out of the locker room.

"Basically, playing our speed and getting stops. That was they key for us," remarked Carter, who followed up a 16-rebound effort vs. Oscar Smith with nine points and 11 defensive boards. "And we want to win."

Jecewiz, who just a few weeks ago was a varsity assistant to Ed Huckaby and the school's J.V. Head Coach, has been pleased with the energy the squad is playing with as well as the way they are operating at both ends.

"These guys are starting to accept their roles. I don't think there's any confusion. We don't have non-shooters taking shots. We've got defensive guys buying into doing their job," Jecewiz stated.

While the win was satisfying for Woodside, they were discouraged by the fact they committed 24 turnovers and didn't make any of the 11 three-point shot that were attempted.

"We got a little bit sloppy offensively with our press-break at times just holding the ball. When we're moving the ball, that's when we're at our best because we have five scoring options on the floor at all times," Jecewiz acknowledged.

"At the end of the day, it's survive and advance. This one does guarantee us three more games and understand it hasn't been done at Woodside in 11 years. This group was able to make history and leave their mark, but we don't want them to settle. We don't want to just be happy going to State's."

Woodside is now 17-5 overall. Landstown's season ended at 17-7 overall.

Back on December 22nd in the Showcase at the Wood in Newport News, the Wolverines were beaten soundly at home by C.D. Hylton, 75-59. The Bulldogs made 58% of their field goal tries that night and shot 60% from three-point distance (12-of-20).

Hylton

"When we played C.D. Hylton earlier in the year, we lost to them and didn't have Devante Carter that game. He's the difference-maker when it comes to the glass because having a point guard who rebounds at that kind of clip, it allows us to play more guards and our best five at a time as opposed to getting so caught up in positions," Jecewiz pointed out.

"Hopefully we can pick up the defensive intensity and carry this momentum over for a run at the regional title."

Postgame Audio with Woodside Coach Steve Jecewiz

Woodside Wolverines 53: (17-5 Overall)
Chris Orlina - 15Pts. 3-6FG, 9-11FT, 4Reb. 2Blk.
TahJay Jacobs - 13Pts. 6-7FG, 3Reb.
Devante Carter - 9Pts. 4-7FG, 1-4FT, 11Reb. 2Ast. 2Stl.
Jordan Forbes - 8Pts. 3-6FG, 2-4FT, 7Reb. 2Ast. 2Stl.
Juwan Davis - 6Pts. 3-11FG, 2Ast. 3Stl.

Landstown Eagles 45: (17-7 Overall)
Michael Christmas - 11Pts. 4-6FG, 2-4FT, 2Reb.
Maurice Jones - 8Pts. 4-14FG, 7Reb. 2Ast.
Daryus Evans - 7Pts. 3-17FG, 1-9 3's, 5Reb. 2Stl.
Brent Stukes - 6Pts. 3-5FG
Aaric Marks - 6Pts. 2-5FG, 3Stl.

Matthew Hatfield serves as State Basketball Analyst for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network, and is a staff writer for Tar Heel Illustrated. Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don’t forget to listen to him every Saturday at 10AM on ESPN Radio 94.1, plus watch him on the Cox 11 Sports Report.