PITTSBURG, Texas - McLeod struggled shooting in the first half and never overcame its deficit in the second half.
The Longhorns shot nearly 50 percent in the second half, held the advantage in rebounds (30-29) and turnovers committed (10-14), but Wolfe City was able to convert 8 of 10 free throws in the final minute to hang on for a 60-54 win over McLeod Friday during a Region II-2A quarterfinal game at Pittsburg's Jack Arnwine Gymnasium.
McLeod finished shooting 42 percent on 22 of 53 field goals for the game. The Longhorns, regional finalists last year, end their second at 20-6.
The Wolves (16-10) advance to the regional semifinals against either Italy or Lipan. WC shot 51 percent on 21 of 41 field goals.
"The shots wouldn't fall for us; They don't ever shoot like that, and we don't ever shoot like that," Longhorn coach Steven Lambeth said. "My hat's off to them. They outplayed us and shot it better than us tonight."
Up 11 to start the second half, Wolfe City quickly extended the Horns' deficit to 15 points (36-21). However, McLeod chipped away at the lead and cut it to seven twice, but the Wolves led 44-35 after three.
The Longhorns started the fourth quarter with a 9-2 run, pulling the score to 46-44 with 5:30 remaining. The Wolves' lead was back to six after a 3-pointer and free throw with 3:13 left.
McLeod went to a fouling defense to prolong the game and cut its deficit to four points three times but never closer.
Keldyn Schubert and Casey Smith each scored 12 points for McLeod, Silas Murdock had 10, Tyler Williams scored nine and No's Gryder seven. Nathan Parker led the team with seven rebounds, followed by Schubert and Smith with five each.
Jaren Brummett ripped the cords for 26 points to lead the Wolves. Cole Salisbury had 16, and Amarion Jones 12. Salisbury Aldo pulled down 10 rebounds.
The Longhorns controlled the tempo early and built a 10-4 lead, aided by 3-pointers from Smith and Murdock. Wolfe City got hot and scored eight consecutive points over 1:20 to grab a 12-10 lead. McLeod scored the first quarter's final three points to hold a 13-12 advantage at the first break.
"I am very proud of this group," Lambeth said. "They never give up and play hard the whole way through. They never slowed down. The shots just wouldn't fall for us."
The Wolves scored four quick points to go up 16-13 and led the rest of the first half. Brummett hit a 3-pointer with 5:39 left and another at 3:23 to extend the lead to 24-17.
Brummett scored 12 of his 16 first-half points in the second quarter, when a 10-point run by Wolfe City made it 29-17 with 1:51 left before halftime. The Wolves led 31-20 at intermission.
Wolfe City shot 59 percent (13 of 22) in the first half and held a slight 16-12 advantage in rebounds. The Longhorns shot 33 percent (8 of 24) before the half.