Cougars, Cards take openers at WCDS tourney

Published in Sports on December 30, 2004 1:57 PM

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An off second quarter cost Rosewood dearly in its opening round game in the Wayne Country Day Holiday Tournament against Goldsboro.

Tied at 8-8 going into the second quarter, the Lady Eagles offense went cold, going over five minutes without scoring before getting the first of two baskets from Clare Narron.

The Lady Cougars took it from there, scoring 16, enroute to the 50-37 win. Goldsboro improved their record to 10-2. Rosewood stands at 3-4.

"We stopped standing around and picked up the intensity," said Goldsboro coach Gladys McClary. "We finally started to hustle."

"They put the ball in the basket and we didn't," said Narron. "They didn't miss many. Goldsboro kept changing their defenses on us," he said. "They took us completely out of our offense."

For a little over a quarter, Wayne Country Day School led Jacksonville and tied the visiting Lady Cardinals at 20-20 early into the second.

Outmanned and outgunned, that was the best the Lady Chargers could do, before falling 60-34 in the opening round of their twice-delayed holiday basketball tournament. The loss dropped coach Toni Ingram's club to 5-6 for the season.

Jacksonville takes an even 5-5 slate into this afternoon's championship game with Goldsboro. Rosewood will meet Wayne Country Day in the consolation game. The Eagles and Chargers have met previously with the Lady Eagles coming out on top.

"For our overall size, I was very pleased," said Ingram. "When we play good fundamental ball, we do well."

While Rosewood's offense was largely confined to Narron and Jessica Hill who combined for 29 points, Goldsboro had seven players in the scoring column. The Cougars were led by Ashelyn James with 17 points and Chevoya Jackson, who added 10.

"Jackson is a great floor general," said McClary. "She keeps everybody hustling and is a great captain and team leader."

It took James only 16 seconds to break the tie. From there, three consecutive runs created a double-digit lead, 34-15, midway through the third quarter, putting the game away.

"It will be youth and height against experience and speed," said McClary. "It's going to be interesting," said McClary. "Martha White is a sensational sophomore for them. Bigger though isn't always better. Look for our experience to carry us through."

Jacksonville came into the game featuring a roster composed entirely of underclassman. Their front court was either close to or over the six-foot mark with an inside game that seemed virtually unstoppable.

Despite the physical disadvantages, Wayne Country Day proved that desire, focus, and conditioning pays. The Lady Chargers played smart and were not assessed their first personal foul until 3:23 of the second quarter.

They committed only five on the night, compared to 18 charged against their guests. Led by Laura Ziemer, the Chargers were outrebounded only by seven 39-32.

Wayne Country Day caught Jacksonville flat-footed to start the game. Four of their five starters scored in the opening period. Elle Dubberly opened with a three-pointer. She was followed two three's and a two by Tiara Broadie, five points by Ziemer and a basket by Christin Grubb.

It was Grubb's second basket that tied the game barely into the second quarter. After that, it was all Jacksonville. They reeled off nine consecutive points until Mimi Bridgers canned a free throw at 3:38.

Ball control was Wayne Country Day's Achilles Heel. They had considerable trouble getting the ball in bounds. The Lady Chargers committed 39 turnovers to only 22 for Jacksonville.

Jacksonville coach Curt Dowdy, however, gave credit where credit was due.

"Wayne Country Day was clearly the aggressor tonight," he said. "We were very sluggish and as a coach, I hate to see that."

Dowdy sang the praises of Martha White, who will match up against Goldsboro's Ashelyn James. White, only a sophomore, led both teams with 16 points.

"I think she can compete with anyone in the low post, added Dowdy. "We won't be as quick as Goldsboro, but we can shoot."

Except for the turnovers, Ingram was pleased with her team's effort.

"They played hard, and did every thing I asked them to do. This was a great opportunity for us to get ready for conference play that will start in mid-January."

Game one

Jacksonville 16 13 10 21 -- 60

WCDS 18 3 7 6 -- 34

JACKSONVILLE (5-5)

Martha White 8 0 0-0 16; Kaylq Pearsall 4 0 0-0 8; Unique Swann 3 0 1-2 7; Brittany Mills 2 1 0-0 7; Brooke Mills 3 0 0-0 6; Carolyn Handy 3 0 0-0 6; Felicia Brown 3 0 0-2 6; Liza Flint 1 0 0-0 2; Tasia White 1 0 0-0 2. TOTALS -- 28 1 1-4 60.

WAYNE COUNTRY DAY (5-6)

Tiara Broadie 2 2 0-2 10; Christin Grubb 3 0 2-2 8; Laura Zieme 2 0 3-5 7; Mimi Bridgers 1 0 3-3 5; Elle Dubberly 0 1 1-2 4; Virginia Best 0 0 0-3 0. TOTALS -- 8 3 9-14 34.

Three-point baskets -- Jacksonville 1 (Brittany Mills), WCDS 3 (Broadie 2, Dubberly). Total fouls -- Jacksonville 18, WCDS 5. Turnovers -- Jacksonville 22, WCDS 39. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none.

Game two

Rosewood 8 4 12 13 -- 37

Goldsboro 8 16 16 10 -- 50

ROSEWOOD (3-4)

Claire Narron 9 0 0-0 18; Jessica Hill 5 0 1-2 11; Shanita Monroe 2 0 0-1 4; Kasie Braswell 1 0 0-0 2; Latitia Wade 0 0 1-2 1; Hannah Aycock 0 0 1-2 1; Courtney Hill 0 0 0-2 0. TOTALS -- 17 0 3-7 37.

GOLDSBORO (10-2)

Ashelyn James 5 0 7-8 17; Chevoya Jackson 1 2 2-3 10; Jessica Faison 3 0 1-1 7; Carmille Early 2 0 2-3 6; Mikeda Graham 1 0 2-2 4; Tiffany Burden 1 0 1-4 3; Nickie Garner 0 1 0-0 3; Helga Bryant 0 0 0-1 0. TOTALS -- 13 3 15-22 50.

Three-point baskets -- Rosewood none, Goldsboro 3 (Jackson 2, Garner). Total fouls -- Rosewood 16, Goldsboro 14. Turnovers -- Rosewood 23, Goldsboro 15. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none.