Elkin basketball in November? That's something that hasn't been seen since the days of Brent Steelman, before the amazing run of state football championships.

Usually at this time of year, Elkin boys basketball coach Clarence Edwards is still out on the gridiron getting his wide receivers ready for the state semifinals in football. But not this season, because the Elks suffered an unusual first-round loss to South Stanly.

Instead, Edwards is working full-time in the gym preparing a hoops team that features eight seniors.

Elkin opened on a promising note Tuesday night, rallying late to defeat West Wilkes 59-52 in overtime in a rare November regular season game.

The Elks came out in the first quarter looking as if they weren't going to be able to hold onto the ball. Elkin had 10 turnovers that resulted in a West Wilkes 9-7 lead after the first.

Things picked up, however, in the second quarter when the Elks trimmed their turnovers down to four and took a 19-18 lead into the half on a Brett Stike steal and layup in the final seconds.

West Wilkes' Daniel Johnson hit a layup in the first minute of the third period to give West the lead 21-19. Elkin fired back with four quick points, but West didn't waste any time in getting them back to take a 27-26 lead midway through the third.

The game stayed close, and West carried a 35-34 lead in the fourth quarter. The game went back and forth throughout the final period of regulation. The Blackhawks held a 43-38 lead with three minutes to play but couldn't hold it. A Sam Tayloe layup, a drive and bucket by Hugh Hudspeth, and a Stike layup eventually deadlocked the game at 44-44 with 1:39 left.

West Wilkes turned it over, and Elkin chose to hold for the final shot. Tayloe took a three but came up short with 5.7 seconds remaining. West regained possession but Hudspeth intercepted the inbounds pass and tossed it to Tayloe once again, but his shot banked off the backboard, sending the contest to overtime.

The Blackhawks won the tip, but Elkin quickly took control and jumped out to a 49-44 lead with 2:52 left. West pulled the score to 49-46 but wouldn't get any closer to the Elks as the Hawks were forced to start fouling late.

Elkin pulled away to savor the seven-point victory.

"We came out slow, but started progressing as the game went on and got better," Stike said after the game. "It's a real positive to win the first game, the first time I have won the first game since I've been in high school."

The Elks have two tough tasks facing them next week with Bishop McGuinness coming to town Tuesday and a trip to Mount Airy on Friday.

"If we work on getting in shape, rebounding and taking care of the ball we should be ready for them," Stike said.

Stike led the Elks with 19 points and eight steals. Hudspeth added another 12 points and seven rebounds. Sam Tayloe, who didn't play last season, tacked on another 10.

Elkin 59, West Wilkes 52 (OT) Tuesday * at Elkin

West Wilkes 9 9 17 9 8 -- 52

Elkin 7 12 15 8 15 -- 59

West Wilkes: Brent Hall 10, Chad Lankford 13, Drew Hamby 6, Anthony Church 2, Matthew Weatherman 11, Michael Huffman 1, Daniel Johnson 9.

Elkin: Sarang Shah 3, Russell Stewart 7, Brett Stike 19, Sam Tayloe 10, Matt Campbell 4, Joel Blevins 4, Hugh Hudspeth 12.