Gaston College wraps up Region 10 schedule with a dramatic win behind Merriweather, Bates and Watson

Gaston College continued its in role of "giant killer" as it closed out its Region 10 schedule by knocking off number one ranked Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute on Thursday night at North Gaston High School.

Jaylen Bates' dunk off a DaMarco Watson assist with 3.9 seconds left was the difference in an 89-87 Rhinos' victory that improved the team to 17-10 overall and 8-6 in Region 10.

Dee Merriweather drove the Gaston College offense most of the night with 34 points and a school-record nine 3-pointers. It was the highest individual point total in a game for Gaston College since Julian Miller scored 35 points against the University of South Carolina freshman team on Dec. 13, 1971.

The victory ensured a winning region record for the Rhinos in their first season of bringing back athletics, while also preventing Caldwell Tech (22-7, 9-5) from clinching the title. Title contenders USC Salkehatchie (16-10, 8-4) and Brunswick Community College (20-7, 7-5) each have two Region 10 games remaining: Gaston College has beaten both on the road in the last 10 days - 66-65 at Brunswick on Feb. 16 and 97-95 in double overtime at USC Salkehatchie on Tuesday.

"I'm just really proud of all our guys tonight to get our 17th win," said Gaston College coach David "Dickey" Nutt. "And a big thank you for our very good and vocal crowd. Our guys really fed off that.
"Execution and defense was key tonight. And it certainly helped that Dee Merriweather hit nine 3s.

Watson (18 points, 10 assists), Kalil Camara (11 points, 9 rebounds), Bates (11 points, 5 rebounds), Zavion Jackson (8 points), Dedrick Givens (7 points, 7 rebounds) were other Rhinos' standouts.

After the teams played to a 44-all halftime lead, Gaston College scored 13 of the first 16 points of the second half to take a 10-point lead at 57-47 and eventually built a 68-55 lead with 13:27 left in the game before the Cobras rallied.

"I thought the defining moment was associate head coach Jamie Rosser convincing me at half time to play the guys that finished the first half who had the hot hands and were better defensively as a unit" Nutt said.

Caldwell Tech took the lead three times in the final five minutes - the last at 85-84 with 1:42 to play.

But time and again, Merriweather kept the Rhinos' offense going as he made six second half 3-pointers and converted all three free throws after being fouled with 1:17 left.

The winning play came after the Cobras tied the score at 87 with 22.5 seconds left.

On Gaston College's next possession, Watson drove near the lane before dishing to Bates for a dunk.

"DaMarco has been one of the most improved players I think I've ever coached," Nutt said. "His 18 points were crucial but more importantly were his 10 assists." It's a special situation play that we work on daily referring to the last possession. We were to get the clock down to 8 seconds and then it would be a penetration and jump stop and DaMarco has 2 options: Dump it off to either of the bigs or take the shot. He made a great read and dumped it off to Jaylen for the dunk. Super execution and very calm, steady execution." I'm so proud of these guys. Realy a big win for us."

After a Caldwell Tech timeout with 3.4 seconds left, the Rhinos had its swarming, stifling defense that forced the Cobras to turn the ball over as Dedrick Givens recovered the loose ball and clinched Gaston College's second win this week over a Region 10 team when it was in first place.

The Rhinos close out the regular season on Monday at 7 p.m. against Hosanna Bible College at South Point High School. The contest will be highlighted by "Sophomore Day" honoring the team's four sophomores - Bates, Camara, Jackson and Damon Davis.

"I think the thing that really stands out tonight is the chemistry is really starting to show," Nutt said. "It's a shame these guys can't continue to play because we are just now starting to gel and play really good basketball."