GC boys fall to Cougars

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on February 19, 2004 1:55 PM

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SNOW HILL -- Jarrett Eason's layup with three seconds to play provided the difference as SouthWest Edgecombe up set fourth-seeded Greene Central 67-66 Wednesday night in the opening round of the Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference basketball tournament at Greene Central's gym.

The layup was a contrast to the long-range bombing that went on during the game. Both teams combined to hit 13 three-pointers, including four by Greene Central's Teddie Waters and three by SouthWest's Cedric Hopkins.

Greene Central had a 66-65 lead with 11 seconds to go after Kenny Smith hit two free throws. Out of time outs, Ram coach Kevin Hart yelled at his team to get back and pack into the paint to prevent a layup.

"Eason is a good point guard, and he weaved in there somehow," said Hart. "He muscled the ball up and in."

Greene Central's desperation heave at the buzzer hit the backboard but did not go in.

The Cougars face top-seeded North Pitt in tonight's boys semifinal at the North Pitt gym.

Assuming it does not get knocked out of the playoffs by a conference tournament upset winner, Greene Central will open the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs next week at Southeast Halifax.

"Hopefully, they (SouthWest) won't beat North Pitt and North Lenoir," Hart said.

Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference Tournament

Boys first round

(at Greene Central HS)

SW Edgecombe 15 18 19 15 -- 67

Greene Central 22 16 9 19 -- 66

No. 5 SW EDGECOMBE (9-16)

Taurence Dickens 4, Cedric Hopkins 11, Taquaoris Pearce 2, Jarrett Eason 23, Antwan Cotton 12, Kendirck Thorne 15.

No. 4 GREENE CENTRAL (11-14)

Kenny Smith 3, Clifton Chapman 5, Jonathan Gage 10, Charles Gamble 7, Teddie Waters 21, Dreyon Willis 6, Junior Kesselbach 7, Rodney Wilkes 3, Tyrone Hall 2, Brandon Corbett 2.

Three-point baskets -- SW Edgecombe 5 (Hopkins 3, Cotton, Eason), Greene Central 8 (Chapman, Waters 4, Kesselbach 2, Wilkes). Total fouls -- SW Edgecombe 17, Greene Central 19. Fouled out -- Gage, Pearce. Technicals -- none.

Girls

Greene Central pulls off upset

SNOW HILL -- Playing at South Lenoir five days ago, Greene Central's girls were handed an embarrassing loss. This time around, the story was far different as the Rams pulled the upset, 35-28, to move onto the EPC tournament semifinals tonight in Bethel against top-seeded SouthWest Edgecombe.

"Friday, they had an awesome shooting night," Rams coach B.J. Bass said. "We were not getting our hands up on the shooters, we were not getting out there quick enough. And they had a lot of confidence. Tonight we jumped out on the shooters."

South Lenoir (15-10) didn't have the touch on this night and only scored five points in the second and third quarters combined to fall behind 28-16 entering the fourth quarter.

The Blue Devils drew to within seven points a pair of times late, but Greene Central (8-17) made its foul shots down the stretch for the win.

Briana Stanton posted a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 13 rebounds for the Rams, who led 18-14 at halftime.

-- Kinston Free Press --