Pioneers Advance To Boys State Tournament For The First Time In School History
The Wayne Pioneers made program history by defeating Buffalo, 47-43, in the Class AA Region IV Co-Final on Thursday at Wayne High School. With the win, Wayne advanced to the state tournament for the first time in program history.
It was an intense and physical game. The first period featured several lead changes, and the Pioneers held a 13-10 advantage behind seven first quarter points from Landon Preece.
The Pioneers (15-9) continued to stretch out the lead in the second quarter as Landon Preece added five more points in the frame, and Colton Heck added four points to make the score 26-18 at the intermission.
Buffalo cut into the lead in the third period behind nine points from Asher Flanery to cut the lead to 36-31 heading into the final frame. The final period was a tense one that saw Buffalo cut the Wayne lead to two at 45-43 on a three-point basket from Flanery. However, Landon Preece stepped to the line with 14.7 seconds left and calmly sank both free throws for the winning margin and setting of a celebration that will probably last until everyone in Wayne travels to Charleston next week.
No one left the gym as first the team and then support staff and past players cut down the nets, leaving two bare rims.
"I don't think it's sunk in yet," said Wayne head coach Sean Meddings. "We've talked about this and talked about this. When I took over the Wayne Middle School job, with those seniors that I had last year with Isaac (Meddings), Peyton (Marcum), Ronnie Staley and Cooper Adkins, we talked about making the state tournament for the first time ever for Wayne High School. It's just been a dream. We've worked our tails off. Those boys set the foundation for it, and that's one reason they got a piece of the net tonight - and also Zane Adkins who was a year ahead of them."
Wayne played in a packed house on Thursday with some people even standing outside the gym's entry way.
"I knew when I lost my voice in the first quarter and had to go to hand signals that it was great," added Meddings. "I try not to pay attention to the crowd and all of that stuff. I'm usually locked in. But seeing these people and this community come together tonight was unreal."
Landon Preece led the Pioneers with 17 points. Colton Heck followed with 13 points. Colton Preece added 8 points. Carter Ross dropped in 4 points. Andrew Dotson tallied 3 points. Kaiden Hayton finished with 2 points.
For Buffalo (17-7), Asher Flanery paced all scorers with 29 points.
Wayne will be the 5th seed in the Class AA state tournament next week in Charleston and will play the 4th seed Doddridge County on Tuesday morning at 11:15 am.
When it comes to the community that bleeds red and black, Meddings had a simple message.
"Thank you," he said. " God bless you all. Let's go win one in Charleston."
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