Greenfield runs past WCDS -- again

Published in Sports on February 9, 2005 1:57 PM

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Do all things come to he who waits? Only time will tell for the Wayne Country Day men's basketball team.

After Tuesday night's 82-54 home loss to Greenfield that first victory over the Knights continues to elude coach Randy Tilley and his charges. The victory clinches first place in the Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2A Conference for coach Rob Salter's quintet.

The Knights' record remains a perfect 9-0. Wayne Country Day's conference slate stands at 5-3, with two of those defeats coming at the hands of Greenfield.

"We've got to get over our mental dilemma of playing Greenfield," said Tilley. "It's almost as though we're 10 points behind before the game even starts. If we don't start playing to win, rather than playing not to lose, the team will struggle against them for the rest of their careers."

While Wayne Country Day grabbed the opening tip-off, that was the only thing it won. The Chargers never led. Greenfield outrebounded the Chargers 30-24, connected on 11 3-point baskets, converted 13-of-15 free throws, and turned the ball over only 10 times.

"I don't know what their field-goal percentage was," said Tilley. "I do know that they shot the lights out."

Adam Wright did not score Wayne's first point until the 6:20 mark of the first quarter. Down 7-1, he also scored the first basket minutes later. Wright was high scorer for his team with 21 points on the night.

Another scoring leader, Spenser Briggs did not get his first basket until 32 seconds were left in the quarter. Playing his last game on his home court, Briggs was shut out in the second quarter, finishing with 10 points on the night.

Meanwhile, the Greenfield juggernaut just kept on rolling.

By the end of the first quarter, the lead went to double digits, 21-11. Capping a 20-7 run, with less than two minutes remaining before halftime, it moved to 20 points 43-23.

A final 23-4 surge pushed the margin to 30 -- 66-36 -- at 1:29 of the third quarter. That run was highlighted by consecutive, unanswered three-pointers by Bert Howell, Errol Frails, and Aaron Suggs.

Four seniors played their final home game. Tilley recognized Oscar Ball, Kevin Logan, Alex Promois,and Briggs for their play and leadership.

"We have a great group here, many of whom I've known for a long time. I'll look forward to following their careers after they graduate," he said.

Wayne Country Day will travel to Rocky Mount on Thursday to face Faith Christian.

Coach Toni Ingram's team has its eyes on moving into a second-place conference tie with Kerr-Vance Academy after their 44-30 win over the Lady Knights.

Ingram's four seniors got their team off to a good start.

Laura Ziemer scored the first three baskets. She tipped in Mimi Bridgers' shot, then converted passes from Christin Grubb and Amanda Knutson.

Ziemer also teamed up with Elle Dubberly and Grubb to control the boards. The Lady Chargers grabbed 39 rebounds on the night.

Tiara Broadie and Bridgers extended the lead to 19-5 midway through the second quarter. Bridgers had three baskets, one a left-handed hook, while Boradie had two. Greenfield could never get their deficit back to single digits.

"We played a lot harder tonight and boxed out well," said Ingram. "Our seniors have really stepped up. We're going to miss them."