It seems like an eternity since Polk County last played a boys basketball game.
But after a 15-day break since closing the regular season with back-to-back wins over Hendersonville and Brevard, Polk County opens play Friday afternoon in the state 2A high school playoffs, traveling to face West Wilkes in Millers Creek. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4 p.m.
With winter weather forcing the cancellation of most of the Western Highlands Conference tournament and then delaying the start of playoff action, Friday’s game will be the first for the Wolverines (7-17) since a 57-44 win at Brevard on Feb. 11. West Wilkes (12-11) last played on Feb. 13, a 65-64 win over Ashe County.
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The Blackhawks (12-11), the ninth seed in the 2A West bracket and part of the 2A/1A Mountain Valley Athletic Conference, finished in a three-way tie for the top 2A spot in the conference, then won a draw to become the league’s top seed for the postseason. The home playoff game will be the first for West Wilkes since 1990.
West Wilkes is led by 5-11 senior guard Zack Bell and 6-0 junior guard Alex Bell. The Blackhawks averaged 65 points per game this season.
Polk County, the 24th seed, heads into the playoffs led by junior guard Jamal Wheeler, averaging almost 18 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Jason Chupp (8.5 ppg), Arnie Twitty (7.6 ppg) and Wes Mullis (6.2 ppg) lead things in the frontcourt for the Wolverines.
The winner of Friday’s game will face either No. 8 Parkwood or No. 25 Lincolnton in the second round.
