PATASKALA, Ohio -- Controlling Wednesday's rivalry matchup for the majority of the night, Watkins Memorial was not going to allow Licking Heights to hold any type of lead in the fourth quarter.

While a steal and score from Licking Heights junior guard Jacob Righter gave the Hornets' its first lead since early in the first quarter, it would only last for a mere 13 seconds. 

Responding with a triple from junior guard Ethan Stearns, Watkins Memorial (6-5, 4-1) took its final lead with 3:34 remaining in a 52-47 win at hated rival Licking Heights (6-6, 4-3). 

In the early going on Wednesday, Licking Heights looked to have early momentum, as the Hornets got out into transition, throwing down two dunks in the opening three minutes to take a 6-5 lead. However, Watkins Memorial would clamp down defensively, going on a 13-2 run over eight minutes of action, taking an 18-8 lead with 5:10 to go in the half.

Going into halftime with a 24-19 advantage, Watkins Memorial had Licking Heights stifled offensively, while several key players for the Hornets were sidelined with foul trouble.

Opening up the second half with a backdoor alley oop to sophomore high flyer Marcus Peaks, Watkins Memorial quickly set the tone for how the second half was going to go.

Holding a 10-point lead for most of the third quarter, Watkins allowed a 5-0 Licking Heights run in the final 2:20 of the period to go into the final frame with a 39-34 lead.

Opening the fourth quarter, Licking Heights super freshman Tyrese Hughey scored back-to-back buckets to close the gap to 39-38 with 6:34 remaining. While Watkins answered on the next trip with a strong spinning finish from senior guard DJ Ortiz, Licking Heights made its final rally moments later. 

Going on a 4-0 run in a span of less than a minute, Righter's transition score, his only points of the game, put the Hornets ahead 42-41 with 3:47 remaining. With the raucous gym at Licking Heights erupting after the Hornets finally broke through in Wednesday's game, Stearns quickly quieted the home fans with his go-ahead triple.

From that point forward, Licking Heights could not get any closer than one point. With the Hornets holding possession and down three points with 21 seconds remaining, Ortiz stepped up with the biggest defensive play of the game, taking a crucial charge to give Watkins possession.

Sophomore guard Reece McNeely knocked down two big free throws on the following possession, as Licking Heights would not score again, falling to its archrival at home. 

Leading the charge for Watkins on Thursday was the junior Stearns, who finished with 14 points. Knocking down two triples, Stearns showed a strong ability to hit shots, while stepping up in the biggest moments. In a fantastic defensive performance for the Warriors, Stearns led the way with a game-high four steals.

McNeely added 10 points and a game-high five assists, while junior guard Bryce Small added nine points off the bench. Junior guard Caleb Packard put in quality minutes off the bench, finishing with seven points. 

The athletic x-factor on the night for the Warriors was Peaks, who finished with eight points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. The bully on the block, Peaks disrupted anything Licking Heights looked to do near the rim, while cleaning up the glass on both ends. An athletic finisher with a nose for the ball, Peaks has one of the best motors in the Licking County League. 

For Licking Heights, Hughey was the most consistent Hornet, finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds. A gifted scorer around the basket, Hughey has great size and length at 6-foot-6, and showed toughness at times as a rebounder and interior finisher. Coming one rebound shy of a double-double, Hughey showed signs of being the dominant stretch forward that he has the potential to become.

Junior wing Josh Osei addded 12 points, 10 of which after halftime. Adding six rebounds, Osei played hard for the majority of the night, as his final bucket cut the deficit to 46-45 with 2:57 to go. Junior forward Raekwon Rogers had a strong showing off the bench, adding nine points and nine rebounds, as his wiry 6-foot-6 frame gave Licking Heights a big boost on the glass.

Struggling to finish at the basket, Licking Heights left dozens of points at the rim. Despite cleaning up the offensive glass and winning the overall rebounding battle 34-21, Licking Heights could not convert around the basket, which ultimately cost them late.

Senior wing Matt Dugue added seven points, but dealt with foul trouble along with Righter, who finished with two points, four assists and four steals. 

Improving to 6-5, Watkins Memorial will look to keep rolling on the road on Friday as the Warriors head to Lakewood. On Saturday, Watkins heads to Cleveland to take on Dublin Jerome at Quicken Loans Arena.

For Licking Heights, the Hornets are home for its next four games as Licking Valley comes to town on Friday before a non-league matchup against Dublin Scioto on Saturday.