CHAPEL HILL — The Forrest Rockets have had some heartbreakingly close games this season, the disappointment palpable Friday night in Chapel Hill as the Liberty Creek Wolves sunk a buzzer-beating three to take the win over the Rockets, 48-45.
Senior Davin Porter led the Rockets with 24 points on the night, getting double-figure help from Ben Villazon with 10.
It was a slow start for the Rockets, letting the Wolves get out to an early lead going into the second quarter, 14-6.
A three-point shot from Trace Collier early in the second brought the Wolves to a comfortable 11-point advantage.
But it didn’t last long.
Porter had a solid second quarter with eight points, one being a sinker from the corner after a Ryan Meglis steal, giving the Rockets the lead.
It was Porter again getting the steal on the inbound with 2.1 seconds left in the half, hitting the open layup.
The Rockets led 23-19 at the half after outscoring the Wolves in the second quarter 17-5.
The second half proved to be an all out scoring battle, and the Rocket defense allowed no points from the Wolves’ leading scorer Dylan Delk, who led the Wolves with 17 points.
At the start of the fourth, the score was even at 34.
Porter had another strong quarter with eight points, but it was Villazon coming through with the biggest three-point goal of the night with only seven seconds left in the game, tying it up 45-45.
On the other end, Liberty Creek found themselves without a good shot, calling a timeout with a mere 1.1 seconds left on the clock.
The sideline inbound made it to Peyton Mattingly, who nailed the catch and shoot for the win.
The Rockets travel to Moore County Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30pm.

Liberty Creek 14 5 15 14 — 48
Forrest 6 17 11 11 — 45

Liberty Creek: Riley Clifton 9, Peyton Mattingly 3, Trace Collier 3, Dylan Delk 17, Jackson Carpenter 3, Brian Rager 13
Forrest: Mason Harper 5, Ben Villazon 10, Jimmy Bond 2, Josh Rumley 2, Ryan Meglis 2, Davin Porter 24
3 point goals: Liberty Creek: Delk 3, Clifton, Mattingly, Collier; Forrest: Porter 4, Villazon 2.
Halftime score: Forrest 23, Liberty Creek 19.