By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News

Trailing by nine in the third quarter, Wilmington High boys basketball coach Mike Jeckavitch knew his team needed a spark.

And it needed to come on the defensive end.

Mission accomplished for the Greyhounds.

Wilmington allowed just 12 total points in the fourth quarter and overtime to collect a 49-48 District 10, Region 2-AA victory over Greenville last night.

“We knew we had to clamp down on defense,” Jeckavitch said. “The defense was going to have to come through for us and it did.

“We look at it as a ‘me against the world’ thing. The kids know they have to dig in a little harder on defense and they fought real hard.”

Wilmington’s Ryan Sager made a layup with seven seconds left in regulation for a 49-48 lead. The Trojans misfired on a last-second field goal attempt and the Greyhounds (1-0 region, 4-8 overall) survived.

“We were running our offense. I kind of wanted to stall it a little more,” Jeckavitch said of his team’s final possession. “I told them if there’s a chance to take it, take it.

“Ryan took it to the hole and he came through.”

Anthony Derrick registered 15 points and 10 rebounds for Wilmington, while Matt Bowen was next with 14 markers and seven boards. Sager contributed nine points.

The Greyhounds turned the ball over just eight times.

Matt Jones posted 12 points for the Trojans (0-1, 5-7).

(E-mail: rponiewasz@ncnewsonline.com)