Chris Patterson came off the bench Saturday and gave Lake Norman's boys basketball team a big lift as the Wildcats came back to beat I-Meck Conference rival West Charlotte in the 4A Western Regional final in Greensboro.
Patterson made the most of his four minutes, netting seven points and grabbing three rebounds.
After scoring on a third-chance opportunity, he completed the old-fashioned three-point play by sinking his free throw to pull Lake Norman within 60-59 with 6:23 remaining.
The Wildcats continued to battle back from a 15-point second half deficit to force overtime and beat the Lions 83-72 in overtime.
Lake Norman's five starters played 34 or more minutes each, but coach Brandon Jolly is confident in reserves like Patterson, Joseph Weston, Jay Saunders and Luke Smith, to name a few.
"Obviously our depth took a hit when we lost (starter) Matt Denyes and we had to put Brian Whalen in the starting lineup," Jolly said. "But I'm perfectly comfortable with Joseph, Chris, Jay and those guys out there."
Lake Norman (25-3) plays Fayetteville Terry Sanford (31-0) in the 4A state championship game Saturday at N.C. State's Reynolds Coliseum. More on Lake Norman's preparation for that game will appear editions of the R&L later this week.
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