Senior moments defined a heavily officiated city playoff game between talented young teams.
Farragut’s senior leader, Kawanise “Squeaky” Wilkins, was called for his fourth foul a minute into the third quarter, sat for a minute and returned to lead the parade to the foul line.
He shot 29 free throws and made 24, including his final 11, while No. 9 Uplift’s Demarius Jacobs sat for six helpless minutes after fouling out as the Admirals rallied for a 62-58 road victory Wednesday in the Public League’s second round.
Wilkins, an unheralded 6-foot-5 wing, scored 17 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter. Farragut went on a 17-2 run when the older of Uplift’s standout Jacobs brothers fouled out with the Titans leading 46-38.
The Admirals (10-9) will play at Simeon in next Wednesday’s quarterfinals.
“Big win,” Wilkins said. “They were already talking about Uplift vs. Simeon. There isn’t any Uplift vs. Simeon. They have to see Farragut.”
Jacobs and 6-5 junior Toraze Dobbs got Uplift (21-5) off to early leads of 13-3 and 18-9, but Wilkins and sophomore Aaron Strong (15 points) kept the Titans within an arm’s length.
That’s how far a defender had to be to avoid a whistle, which Wilkins was unable to do for the fourth time with almost half the game remaining.
“I had to take him out a little while to calm him down,” Farragut coach William “Wolf” Nelson said. “I wasn’t going to leave him out there to commit his fifth foul right away.”
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He was out only about a minute, though Uplift maintained control until Jacobs fouled out.
“He’s their best player,” Wilkins said. “Markese is good, don’t get me wrong, but he’s not the big brother.”
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.
Player of the game: Kawanise Wilkins, Farragut, 31 points, 24-29 FTs, 7 rebounds.
Key performers: Uplift — Toraze Dobbs 18 points, 16 rebounds; Demarius Jacobs, 15 points, 7 rebounds. Farragut — Aaron Strong, 15 points.