By Cole Rogers

For the Forsyth County News

The Pinecrest Paladins lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Whitefield Wolfpack 49-46 in their final home game of the season.

Both teams were very aggressive and physical from the start, and that was the tone for the entire night. 

Pinecrest struggled to get into an offensive rhythm while dealing with the Whitefield defense, but found some success underneath the rim.

The Paladins were able to shoot from outside the arc a few times but were forced to get most of their points in the paint.

“I wish we would’ve attacked a little more offensively,” Pinecrest coach John Bauersfeld said. “We really harped on that in practice, but you’ve got to do more against a team that’ll press you like that”

Whitefield was able to spread the ball around more efficiently, but still struggled at times against the Paladin defense.

The momentum swung back and forth in favor of each team, and it felt like whoever had the ball last would be the one to win it. 

Entering the fourth quarter, the game was tied 36-36 and both teams were starting to heat up. 

They traded shots and the game stayed neck and neck until the very end when Whitefield pulled away with the lead.

The Paladins tried to make some last-minute magic happen, but they just couldn’t score enough to get back in it or force overtime.

Ultimately, Whitefield’s defense disrupted Pinecrest’s offense enough in the end to where they never got into a steady rhythm and couldn’t pull it out.

It never feels good to lose the last game of the regular season at home, especially on senior night, but that doesn’t have to be the end for the Paladins this season. 

The region tournament is coming up, and Pinecrest has a great experienced core of players to really compete and maybe make some magic happen in the postseason.