By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

CENTRE – After a tough start to the basketball season, Cherokee County High School boys basketball coach Caleb Hays said the Warriors were in need of a home game.

They finally got one on Thursday night against the Sand Rock Wildcats.

Not only did Cherokee County finally play in front of the home crowd at the newly-renovated Warrior Dome, but they also got their most consistent performance of the season.

Three players scored in double figures, led by Tatum Perry’s 27 points, in a 71-56 victory over the Class 2A, No. 3 Wildcats.

“We’ve had good team play at times, but overall we haven’t put it all together,” Hays said. “Tonight, it seemed like we played as one, and that was a big deal. It was really great to see their communication and their level of play.

“They’ve been playing extremely hard. They’re not worried or looking at records. They know what our goal is and they know what our standard is. We want to compete at the highest level, and that’s what they did tonight.”

Cherokee County (1-5) held the lead at each of the quarter breaks. The Warriors led 17-11 after one and held a 31-22 advantage at halftime. That lead swelled to 53-36 after three quarters.

In addition to Tatum’s 27 points, Jayquan Diamond delivered 17 points and Keyshawn Woods came away with 12 points. Owen Jacoway finished with six points.

“Our guys have been playing good basketball. They’ve been building on things, the habits that create success. We’ve been playing some really good teams, and we’re starting to get into that basketball mode where fourth quarter shape, communication, making the big shots, protecting the ball, and hitting those plays that start separating games,” Hays said.

Wyatt Miller topped the Wildcats (5-3) with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Jonas Browder connected on three 3-pointers and came away with 16 points.

Ty Traffanstedt and Elijah Hood finished with seven and five points respectively.

Sand Rock travels to Gaston on Friday, while Cherokee County is at Piedmont.