Josh McEntire knew his Polk County men’s basketball team could put together four good quarters, and score lots of points. He might not have been expecting to witness a new school scoring record by a player.

The Wolverines did put it together on Friday (Jan. 16), overpowering Hendersonville, 91-78, in overtime, at Hendersonville. In losing a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, and going to overtime, the Wolverines essentially needed five quarters to play four good ones, but they won big.

Lighting the fire for the Wolverines was junior Jamal Wheeler who scored a Polk school record 40 points, 16 in overtime, where Polk shut down the Bearcats, 21-8. He also recorded seven rebounds, five blocks, six steals, and six assists.

Teammate Jason Chupp scored 15, and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Davis Derkach (10 points) and Arnie Twitty (nine points) added much of the scoring support.

That win made Polk 3-3 in Western Highlands Conference action, with lots of WHC games on the near horizon.

The Wolverines took command early, holding a 25-16 first-quarter lead.  They led 44-34, at the half, 64-19, after three periods, and scored 27 in the final eight minutes to finish off the Bearcats.

Hendersonville fell to 10-7 overall, and 2-4 in the Western Highlands Conference. Polk is 3-12 overall, but played more like 12-3.

That win made it two conference wins in a row for the Wolverines, who dispatched Owen, 58-54, at Columbus last Wednesday (Jan. 14).

No blowing out took place in that contest. Rather, Polk displayed discipline and good shooting to stay with the Warhorses.  Polk did lead, 16-13 after the first quarter, but Owen pulled ahead by 25-24 at the half.  In the third period, Wes Mullis’s layup gave the Wolverines a 28-27 lead. Shortly after, Wheeler passed to Daniel Painter who whipped in a three-pointer to up Polk’s lead to 34-29.

Polk led by 45-41 after three, with each team scoring 13 in the fourth quarter.

Jamal Wheeler’s 18 points lead all scorers. Arnie Twitty (nine rebounds, Jason Chupp (nine rebounds) and Wes Mullis (eight rebounds) helped control the game’s tempo.  Wheeler added four assists and five steals.

“It’s great,” McEntire remarked after the dust cleared. “We needed that win. That win tonight puts us right where we want to be (in the conference).” That was before Polk’s O/T win at Hendersonville.

Polk faces heavy competition in upcoming conference action. On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the Wolverines visit Madison, then return to host West Henderson on Wednesday, Jan. 21 in non-conference play. On Friday, Jan. 23, Polk hosts Mountain Heritage for more WHC action.