If there’s a positive for Orange’s Joe Scott going into 2016, it’s that he knows who he has to beat to claim the elusive 3-A state championship at 152 pounds.
Scott knows Eastern Alamance’s Mitchell Dean very well. The two wrestled only a month ago at the Jim King Inivtational, with Dean earning a 4-2 victory in the championship. Dean was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler in the tournament.
Scott got a rematch on Wednesday in the Tiger Holiday Classic in the 152 semifinals. It was another match where points were at a premium. Dean’s takedown in the 2nd period was the only of the match. All Scott could muster was an escape point, and Dean again prevailed 2-1.
However, Dean didn’t walk out tournament champion. Asheboro’s Sawyer Davidson defeated Dean 7-3 I the title match.
Meanwhile, Scott claimed major decisions over Newton Conover’s Jacob Hardee (13-2) and Ragsdale’s Alejandro Illescas (10-2) to earn 3rd place.
In his four career appearances at the Tiger Holiday Classic, he finished 3rd, 3rd, 4th and 3rd. Some may consider that a success. Scott believes otherwise.
He heads into 2006 with a 20-2 record, but feels like there’s plenty of room for improvement.