Author: WinstonSalemWolves

Wolves Defeat Hampton Roads, Win Third Straight

The Wolves continued their winning streak on the road on Saturday, April 22nd, with a win over the Hampton Roads Warriors 129-127. The Wolves held leads at the end of the first and second quarters, taking a seven-point lead into halftime. However, the third quarter saw a rejuvenated Warriors squad erase the deficit to take a one point lead heading into the fourth.

The Wolves were able to battle back in the fourth, closing out the game and sealing the win.

This win improves the Wolves record to 6-2 on the season, and the Wolves now are tied with Petersburg in the Northern Conference playoff hunt. Petersburg defeated the Virginia Dream to improves to 6-2 as well, so as the Wolves return home to face the Carolina Chosen Lions on April 30, the team will have to be careful not to be looking to far ahead in the schedule.

Winston-Salem and Petersburg are scheduled to face each other in the last game of the season; the Wolves, having just finished a four game road stretch, will close out the regular season with four straight home games.

“Snakebit” Wolves Struggle To Find Rhythm

Marsharee Neely Basketball Winston-Salem Wolves 2021

The Winston-Salem Wolves dropped their second home game of the season against the division rival Rowan County Bulls on Saturday, April 24, despite improved defensive effort and interior offense. The Wolves’ largest deficit was found in defending the three-point line, as the Bulls shot 39.5% from deep, led by guard Keith Gabriel’s 4-for-7 night behind the arc. Gabriel scored 21 points in the win, while fellow Bull Quiron Cook led all scorers with 22.

The Wolves saw improved offensive output from point guard Antonio Robinson and center Julius Brooks, as well as seeing the continued consistency of forward Dionte Adams. However, this could not overcome abysmal shooting from the Wolves from deep as a team and modest free throw shooting. The Wolves also suffered the loss of guard Joshea Singleton to a hand injury sustained in the team’s last game against the Carolina Chosen Lions.

The Wolves return home for a back-to-back weekend on May 1st and 2nd, facing the Fayetteville Panthers for a Saturday 8pm tip, then hosting the NC Coyotes the following day at 3pm.

Box Score

Wolves Defensive Troubles Continue

Winston-Salem Wolves Julius Brooks dunk

The Winston-Salem Wolves continued to struggle in transition defense again on Sunday in a loss to the Carolina Chosen Lions 109-102 in Winterville, NC. The Wolves led briefly in the first quarter behind early offensive energy but trailed by 10 at the half. The second half saw the Wolves battle back, cutting into the lead slightly by the end of the 3rd and closing the gap to a single point in the 4th, only to suffer from continued struggles getting defensive stops in transition at key moments.

Bright spots for the Wolves were improved free throw shooting and the return of Joshea Singleton into the lineup, but the 2021 Wolves continue to search for adjustments that will allow them to return to form from their 2019 ECBL Northern Conference championship run.

The Wolves return home on April 24 to face division rival Rowan County.

Wolves Fall to Hickory on the Road

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The Winston-Salem Wolves dropped their first ECBL road game of the season in a game which saw the team plagued by poor defense and lackluster offensive execution. Going into the contest, the Wolves coaching staff knew they would be shorthanded, with three of their available post players unavailable. Hickory was able to take advantage and execute more efficiently in transition to get the win.

Hickory built a lead in the first half before pulling away in the second and winning 147-116. The Wolves struggled to score for stretches during both halves and showed inconsistent defensive effort, despite glimmers of effectiveness. The lack of post play also hurt the Wolves, with Hickory outrebounding Winston-Salem 58-34, and despite being able to work the ball into the paint repeatedly in the first half, points inside were difficult to come by.

The leading scorer for the Wolves was Khadier Fulcher, guard, with 27 points, however the limited roster wasn’t enough to overcome the athleticism of Hickory.

The Wolves next look to bounce back on the road against the Carolina Chosen Lions in Winterville, NC on April 18 before returning home to face another division rival, Rowan County, on April 24 at home.

Box Score

Wolves Drop Home Opener to High Point

Chris Woods basketball Winston-Salem Wolves

The Winston-Salem Wolves tipped off their truncated 2021 ECBL season at home on April 10 against their newest division rival, the High Point Lycans, in front of limited media and family attendance.

The Wolves have made several roster changes since the 2020 season, including adding forward Ryan King and center Julius Brooks, in an attempt to shore up players who have moved on to foreign teams.

The Wolves enjoyed a significant rebounding advantage throughout the game, particularly on the offensive end, but while building a lead in both the first and second half, miscues at the free throw line plagued the team and allowed High Point opportunities to mount a comeback. The tale of the stats outside of the scoring tallies paints the picture: the Wolves outrebounded the Lycans 60-37 but only shot 48% from the charity stripe.

The second half saw an impressive offensive explosion from slashing wing Devin Hutchinson, who led all scorers for the game with 41 points and was critical to the High Point victory. Hutchinson struggled from outside the perimeter but was, at times, nearly unstoppable inside as the Wolves failed to adjust successfully and keep him from getting to the rim.

The Wolves led at the six minute mark in a back-and-forth affair before falling behind by 3 with 2 minutes remaining. Despite getting to the line, the Wolves’ free throw woes continued and they eventually fell to the road team, 108-97.