March Madness isnt here quite yet, but the Polk County Wolverines are already doing some post season dancing.
Polk County pulled out another upset Wednesday in the 2A state playoffs, prevailing 61-59 in overtime against Newton-Conover. It was the second straight game in which Polk knocked off a No. 1 seed in the 2A West region.
Polk rallied in the fourth quarter to erase a five-point deficit after three quarters and tie the game at 54-54 at the end of regulation.
The Wolverines showed great poise down the stretch, making 6-of-9 free throws in the extra session to come away with the win. They also made 4-of-5 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Junior guard Shawn Gary was 4-of-4 from the line in overtime and finished with 13 points for the game.
The Wolverines were led in scoring for the second straight playoff game by senior guard Landon Schlabach.
After scoring 18 points in Polks 62-48 win over Ashe County on Monday, he came back with 19 points Wednesday.
Gary and Schlabach were the only two scorers in double figures for Polk County, but the team got offensive contributions from several other players.
Center Fidal Wilkins had seven points, while Bryant Twitty and Andre Overholt each finished with six points. Chandler Miller chipped in four points, followed by Jeffery Bontrager with three and Stephen Staley with two.
The Wolverines, now 10-14, are the No. 3 seed from the Western Highlands Conference.
Newton-Conover, 16-13, was the No. 1 seed from the Catawba Valley Conference. Ashe County was a No. 1 seed from the Mountain Valley Conference.
Polk County head coach Craig Culbreth said the Wolverines record may be deceptive because they played in a very competitive conference, and hes pleased to see the team playing well at the right time.
The Wolverines advance to face Smoky Mountain, another No. 1 seed, on Friday in the Sectional Finals.
The game today will be played at Smoky Mountain, 22-4, of the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
&bsp;