Eagle girls, Charger boys play unselfishly in victories

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 19, 2004 2:00 AM

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Unselfishness and defense.

That's the calling card left by Rosewood's varsity girls and Wayne Country Day's varsity boys basketball teams after Friday evening's intercounty matchup.

Five Rosewood players recorded at least one assist apiece and nine scratched in the scoring column overall in a 65-29 victory. The Eagles improved to 4-2, while the Chargers -- with first-year coach Toni Ingram -- dipped to 4-5.

The Charger boys, unarguably favored to challenge for the independent schools Class 1-A state championship, turned in a strong first-quarter performance against the Eagles. Adam Wright and Spenser Briggs each converted several transition possessions into uncontested layups en route to a 90-49 win.

"The first thing we wanted to do was set the tempo defensively and get into our transition (game), letting them know right away that we're going to play this way for four quarters," WCDS coach Randy Tilley said. "You're either going to stay with us or you're going to wear down. Our kids have played really well all week long; the team chemistry I can't be any more pleased with."

Wright slashed his way inside for three first-quarter field goals, while Briggs did his damage on the perimeter. Kevin Logan and Oscar Ball combined for four assists as the Chargers (8-1) built a 22-4 lead after one period.

Rosewood fell victim to six turnovers, which Wayne Country Day converted into 10 points. The Eagles' lone baskets came from Dustin Overman and Kyle Bunn.

"We looked like we were on another planet," Rosewood coach Daniel Mitchell said. "We looked like we didn't know where we were at (or) what we were supposed to do. When you get behind the quick in the first quarter, it doesn't matter who you're playing, because it's hard to come back on (them).

"We gave them too many easy layups."

Wright encountered foul trouble in the second period. Briggs, who started out dishing off to Wright and Jeff Franklin for baskets, pumped in seven points with Wright on the bench.

Briggs came close to a triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Wright delivered a 23-point, four-rebound performance. Ball added 15 with eight coming in the second half.

Danny Langston and Kyle Grey paced the Eagles with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

"This is a great bunch of kids and they're fun to coach. They play hard and have the attitude of loving to play defense," said Tilley, whose team caused 21 turnovers and collected 13 steals. "We play it from baseline to baseline and the changing of defenses, they're picking that up now and it's coming together."

Tiara Broadie, the Chargers' leading scorer, hit her first two baskets in the opening quarter against Rosewood. The Eagles made a slight defensive adjustment and responded with a 14-0 run to lead 14-5 after one quarter.

Christin Grubb knocked down six consecutive points in the second period and trimmed the Eagles' advantage to 14-11. After a timeout, Rosewood answered with a 14-4 surge and the Chargers never seriously threatened from that point.

Six-foot-1 senior Jessica Hill provided 16 points, eight rebounds, four blocked shots and seven assists. Latita Wade contributed 15 points, including 13 in the second half. Wade and Clare Narron combined for seven assists and 16 rebounds.

"Latita played outstanding in the second half for us and that's something we've been expecting all year," second-year Rosewood coach Jerry Narron said. "Our girls are unselfish passing the ball and a lot of times they're giving up good shots."

Broadie paced the Chargers with 15 points, while Grubb added 12.

Girls game

Rosewood 14 14 26 11 -- 65

WCDS 5 10 12 2 -- 29

ROSEWOOD (4-2)

Jessica Hill 8 0 0-3 16, Shanita Monroe 3 0 1-2 7, Kelli Gurley 1 0 0-0 2, Clare Narron 3 0 0-1 6, Katy Morris 1 0 0-2 2, Latita Wade 6 0 3-4 15, Courtney Hill 0 0 0-0 0, Hannah Aycock 2 0 0-0 4, Kasie Braswell 4 0 0-0 8, Sara Poole 1 0 0-0 2, Shanna Gooding 0 1 0-0 3, Kasey Grey 0 0 0-0 0. TOTALS -- 29 1 4-12 65.

WAYNE COUNTRY DAY (4-5)

Tiara Broadie 6 1 0-0 15, Christin Grubb 3 1 3-8 12, Elle Dubberly 0 0 0-0 0, Mimi Bridgers 0 0 0-0 0, Laura Ziemer 1 0 0-7 2, Amanda Knutson 0 0 0-0 0. TOTALS -- 10 2 3-15 29.

Three-point goals -- WCDS 2 (Broadie, Grubb), Rosewood 1 (Gooding). Turnovers -- WCDS 24, Rosewood 24. Total fouls -- WCDS 10, Rosewood 11. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none.

Boys game

Rosewood 4 19 15 11 -- 49

WCDS 22 23 24 21 -- 90

ROSEWOOD (2-4)

Dustin Overman 1 0 1-2 3, Matt Howell 2 1 0-0 7, Brantley Ellis 2 0 1-2 5, Jason Scarborough 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Bunn 2 0 4-6 8, Danny Langston 6 0 2-2 14, Matthew Spriggs 1 0 0-0 2, Zach Hardison 0 0 0-1 0, Holt Rains 0 0 0-0 0, Ty Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Grey 5 0 0-0 10. TOTALS -- 19 1 8-17 49.

WAYNE COUNTRY DAY (8-1)

Adam Wright 8 2 1-2 23, Alex Proimos 1 0 0-0 2, Kevin Logan 1 0 0-0 2, Spenser Briggs 8 2 6-7 28, Oscar Ball 6 0 3-4 15, Jeff Frankin 1 1 2-2 7, Phillip Weeks 4 0 1-4 9, Shadow Stewart 0 0 1-2 1, Lamar Carpenter 1 0 0-0 2, Travis Davis 0 0 1-2 1. TOTALS -- 30 5 15-25 90.

Three-point goals -- WCDS 5 (Wright 2, Briggs 2, Franklin), Rosewood 1 (Howell). Turnovers -- WCDS 19, Rosewood 21. Total fouls -- WCDS 17, Rosewood 22. Fouled out -- Howell. Technical fouls -- Wright, WCDS bench.