Rosewood girls blast Pamlico County

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on February 24, 2004 1:56 PM

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Only one element was lacking in Rosewood's girls 45-19 win over visiting Pamlico County to kick off Class 1-A play in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association basketball tournament -- fans.

The Eagles Nest was virtually bare, as the majority of fans were attending the annual football awards banquet.

Pamlico's offense never got untracked. The Lady Hurricanes, the Coastal Plains Conference's third-seeded team, connected for only three baskets during the entire game.

"We just weren't mentally ready to play," said Pamlico coach Garry Cooper.

Coach June Hill, who had scouted Pamlico last Friday, shut her guests down with a vicious full-court press that created 26 turnovers. Center Jessica Hill was the key to the defense, leading the press and blocked numerous shots. On offense, Hill passed to Jennifer Boren and Nikki Strawn under the boards for easy lay-ups.

Coach Hill then got everyone talking as team held the ball for the first two minutes of the second quarter.

"They switched from man-to-man to zone. I was trying to bring them out," Hill said.

The turning point of the game came at 2:07 of the second quarter when Pamlico's Chelsea Jones picked up a technical after fouling Hill. Wade made it a three-point play, extending the lead to 17-6 and putting the game effectively out of reach.

"Give Rosewood all the credit," said Cooper. "We're a team that averages 50 points a game, and they shut us down. They were too big and too quick for us."

Latitia Wade was high scorer on the night for Rosewood with 16 points.

Although a winner, Hill was still not satisfied with the effort.

"We still don't have that edge that will be necessary to keep us going," she said.

She was particularly displeased with foul shooting, where the Lady Eagles went from 6-for-8 in the first half to 6-for-22 in the second half. Rosewood travels to Midway, the Super Six Conference champion, on Wednesday night.

"They're well-coached," said Hill. "It will take one of our best games to beat them."

Midway coach Tony Denning was in the stands scouting Rosewood.

"They beat us earlier in the year," he said. "Hopefully, we'll do a little better this time."

Pamlico County 1 5 6 7 -- 19

Rosewood 9 8 10 18 -- 45

PAMLICO COUNTY (11-8)

Chelsea Jones 2 0 8-14 12; Donita Jones 0 0 2-4 2; Kenechelle Boomer 1 0 0-2 2; Amanda Ensley 0 0 2-2 2; Shante Squires 0 0 1-2 1; Crystal Harrell 0 0 0-2 0. TOTALS -- 3 0 13-26 19.

ROSEWOOD (18-5)

Latitia Wade 5 1 3-4 16; Jennifer Boron 4 0 0-0 8; Nikki Strawn2 0 2-2 6; Clare Narron 2 0 1-3 5; Jessica Hill 0 0 3-11 3;Stephanie Rhodes 0 0 2-2 2; Sarah Ardes 1 0 0-0 2; Shanita Monroe 0 0 0-4 0; Hannah Aycock 0 0 0-2 0. TOTALS -- 15 1 12-30 45.

Three-point baskets -- Pamlico 0, Rosewood 1 (Wade). Turnovers -- Pamlico 26, Rosewood 15. Total fouls -- Pamlico 20, Rosewood 18. Fouled out -- Jones. Technical --Jones.