Cougars go 0-2 in inaugural Invitational

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 27, 2005 2:21 AM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Goldsboro had two chances to either prevail in regulation or force overtime against Clayton in the inaugural Mount Olive College Invitational.

The Cougars came up empty twice.

Goldsboro committed a crucial backcourt violation and missed the potential game-tying jumper from the baseline in a nine-second span Saturday evening at Kornegay Arena. Six-foot-7 senior McIntosh Alcius drained two free throws with five-tenths of a second remaining and preserved Clayton's 64-59 victory in the third-place game.

Bo Ingram hit a 3-pointer and added a conventional three-point play in the fourth quarter as Kinston (4-1) escaped East Chapel Hill 51-47 in the Invitational championship game. Ingram earned Most Valuable Player honors after averaging 13 points in the Vikings' two wins.

Quinton Coples added a double-double -- 16 points, 10 rebounds -- en route to earning a spot on the six-player all-Invitational team.

"We can sit here and talk about all the individuals," said veteran Kinston coach Wells Gulledge, a graduate of Mount Olive College. "All the individual accolades are nice, but as far as I'm concerned, this was a great team win."

The Comets used a 15-2 run to build a 55-40 lead with less than five minutes remaining in regulation against Goldsboro. The Cougars (1-2) responded with a 14-3 run of their own thanks to strong inside play by Tim Kornegay and 6-7 junior center DaQuan Joyner.

The duo crashed the offensive boards and converted several second-chance shots. Clayton aided the cause with turnovers, including a near-fatal miscue with 29 seconds to go.

Kornegay drove the lane and easily kissed a shot off the glass. Clayton's Michael Sims drew a blocking foul on the play and Kornegay swished the free throw to pull Goldsboro within 60-59.

Alcius hit two free throws and the Cougars committed the costly backcourt violation with 9.4 seconds to go. Clayton graciously turned the ball over and Goldsboro headed back downcourt as the clock quickly ticked away the precious seconds.

Clifton Lawson's baseline jumper from behind the 3-point line hit the edge of the backboard. Alcius chased down the rebound at halfcourt and drew the foul. His two free throws sealed the Comets' second victory in three tries this season.

"We missed three crucial free throws down the stretch and we got the shot we wanted ... the wide-open look three and it just didn't go," said Goldsboro High coach Randy Jordan. "It was a great effort for eight minutes. You can't play eight minutes and expect to win a basketball game."

The teams battled to a 24-24 tie at halftime.

Clayton senior Jamar Slocum scored seven consecutive points in a 7-1 run to push the Comets ahead 33-27. Jordan called timeout and stressed defending against Slocum.

But the 6-3 Slocum responded 14 third-quarter points and concluded the game with an Invitational-high 31 points. Slocum hit 11 field goals and 5 of 6 free throw attempts.

"We didn't have anybody who would step in and take a charge ... stop him from penetrating the middle," said Jordan. "We work hard on help-side defense, but we just didn't execute it.

"We just came out flat in the third quarter. I can't explain it. We thought we had a good game plan and the kids were comfortable with the defense wanted to run, but we just didn't execute it."

Joyner complemented Kornegay's effort with a double-double -- 17 points and 10 rebounds. Joyner and Kornegay combined for 38 of the Cougars' 45 points among its starting five.

Strong defense and a suffocating full-court press helped East Chapel Hill advance to the Invitational title game. The Wildcats trapped and challenged every pass, which constantly disrupted the Cougars' attack on the basket.

Goldsboro collected more turnovers (11) than made field goals (10) in the opening half.

"(We teach) playing pressure defense with hard work and hustle, get your hands on deflections," said ECH coach Ray Hartsfield. "Every time you deflect the ball, you have a chance to get the steal. I took out my starting five at the six-minute mark and brought in five more (fresh players).

"Those guys were biting at the bit to get off the bench. The second group had a better rotation in our pressure defense than the first group did. They not only maintained the lead, but opened it up a little bit."

East Chapel Hill led 38-29 at halftime.

The Cougars (1-1) gained some early momentum when Joyner got intentionally fouled in the open court. Joyner converted both free throws and Joe Houpe added a turnaround jumper in the lane to close the gap to 39-36.

The teams traded baskets, including a layup by Kornegay around the six-minute mark.

"We came out and did the things we wanted to do in the third quarter," said Jordan. "I'm real proud of that. (But) all the credit goes to East Chapel Hill. They executed their game plan.

"They're not a complicated team, but what they do, they do well."

The Wildcats, of the 4-A Pac 6 Conference, responded with a dominating 16-2 run. Senior Charles Rhodes buried back-to-back 3-pointers and Ty Alston added a 3-pointer of his own during the decisive, back-breaking surge.

Goldsboro endured a five-minute scoring drought before Anthony Artis drained two free throws before the period ended.

"We had about three dumb turnovers to let them back in the ball game, but then our kids settled down," said Hartsfield, whose 1998 team lost to Goldsboro in the sectional playoffs. "Charles, we have to get him (more) shots. He can shoot lights out."

Rhodes led four Wildcats in double figures with 15 points. D.J. McCray provided 14, while Alston and Ben Roberson each chipped in 11.

Kornegay paced the Cougars with 15 points. Joyner contributed 10 points, seven blocked shots, six rebounds and one assist. Branden Herring added eight points.

The teams combined to shoot 38 of 65 at the free throw line.

"You never want to go 0-2 in an outstanding tournament," said Jordan. "Will it make us better down the stretch and for the conference down the stretch? Yes.

"We've got some things we have to get better at in a hurry and some lessons we have to learn."

Goldsboro entertains Smithfield-Selma on Tuesday.

Bryan Hanks, Kinston Free Press sports editor, contributed to this story.

Saturday's game

Clayton 14 10 20 20 -- 64

Goldsboro 12 12 14 21 -- 59

CLAYTON (2-1)

Brian Sessions 0 0 0-0 0, Clint Mixon 0 0 0-1 0, Michael Sims 0 2 0-0 6, Josh Holder 1 0 0-0 2, Jamar Slocum 7 4 5-6 31, Jarrell Moses 0 1 0-0 3, Matt Dupree 0 0 2-2 2, McIntoche Alcius 7 0 6-8 20. TOTALS -- 15 7 13-17 64.

GOLDSBORO (1-2)

Branden Herring 1 1 0-0 5, Eric McLean 0 0 0-0 0, Clifton Lawson 1 1 0-0 5, Tim Kornegay 6 1 6-7 21, Anthony Artis 2 0 0-0 4, Tim Hobbs 0 0 0-0 0, Treme Boone 2 0 1-2 5, Joe Houpe 1 0 0-0 2, Mike Isler 0 0 0-0 0, DaQuan Joyner 6 0 5-8 17. TOTALS -- 19 3 12-18 59.

3-point goals -- Clayton 7 (Slocum 4, Sims 2, Moses), Goldsboro 3 (Herring, Lawson, Kornegay). Turnovers -- Clayton 28, Goldsboro 19. Total fouls -- Clayton 15, Goldsboro 16. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none.

Friday's game

E. Chapel Hill 19 19 19 21 -- 78

Goldsboro 11 16 15 18 -- 60

EAST CHAPEL HILL (2-2)

Daniel Bolick 2 0 2-2 4, Todd Morecraft 0 0 4-4 4, Charles Rhodes 3 3 0-0 15, Justin Kenyon 0 0 0-2 0, Ty Alston 3 1 2-2 11, Dominique Weaver 2 0 2-2 6, Ben Roberson 4 0 3-8 11, Colton Foushee 1 0 2-2 4, Griffin Wilson 3 0 1-1 7, D.J. McCray 6 0 2-4 14. TOTALS -- 24 4 18-27 78.

GOLDSBORO (1-1)

Branden Herring 4 0 0-0 8, Burnie Best 0 0 0-0 0, Eric McLean 1 0 1-2 3, Clifton Lawson 1 0 0-0 2, Tim Kornegay 6 0 3-4 15, Anthony Artis 0 0 5-6 5, Tim Hobbs 1 0 3-4 5, Treme Boone 0 0 2-2 2, Brandon Sampson 1 0 -0 2, Joe Houpe 2 0 0-0 4, Mike Isler 0 0 2-4 2, DaQuan Joyner 3 0 4-6 10, Antonio Green 1 0 0-0 2. TOTALS -- 20 0 20-28 60.

3-point goals -- E. Chapel Hill 4 (Rhodes 3, Alston). Turnovers -- E. Chapel Hill 14, Goldsboro 25. Total fouls -- E. Chapel Hill 18, Goldsboro 18. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none.