Local sports digest

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 20, 2006 2:09 PM

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Greene Central matmen seize first-ever EPC 2-A title

TARBORO -- Phillip Freeman notched the match-clinching fall and Greene Central nipped Tarboro High 36-33 for its first-ever Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference regular-season, dual-team championship Thursday evening.

The Rams (10-3, 3-0 EPC) seized the league's No. 1 seed for the N.C. High School Athletic Association dual-team playoffs, which begin Feb. 7. They'll face the Mid-State Conference runner-up in a four-team sectional, but the site has not been determined.

"Tarboro is a fantastic team and we knew that the match would be close," said Greene Central coach Dan Miner. "We stressed to our team the importance of pinning and also not getting pinned ourselves."

Greene Central bolted to a 30-6 lead behind pins from Robert Phillips (127 pounds), Jeffrey Shingleton (132), Cameron Taylor (137), Chris Jones (142) and Tim McNair (147).

The Vikings pulled within 30-24 on three consecutive falls.

With his most-experienced wrestlers on the mat, Miner's Rams allowed just nine points in three decisions. Marquis Eanes got in trouble early against Tarboro's Kirk Heffley, but managed to wrestle off his back and drop a 7-2 decision.

Darrin Gorham and heavyweight Justin Wellington also prevented falls, which kept the Rams within striking distance at 33-30. After a double forfeit at 105, Freeman came through with a first-period fall against the Vikings' Matt Jones.

"We were worried about conditioning because we couldn't practice all week due to exams," said Miner. "However, I think it gave our guys a good break. They looked very focused and rested."

Greene Central returns to action Saturday in the Lee R. Hall Duals at SouthWest Edgecombe.

Greene Central 36

Tarboro High 33

121 -- Joe Squires (THS) wbf James Thomas, 4:39; 127 -- Robert Phillips (GC) wbf Justin Stewart, 2:37; 132 -- Jeffrey Shingleton (GC) wbf William Delcarmen, 1:43; 137 -- Cameron Taylor (GC) wbf Savario Santiago, 2:34; 142 -- Chris Jones (GC) wbf Omar Rocha, 5:32; 147 -- Tim McNair (GC) wbf Quartrez Davis, 4:35; 154 -- Quinton Whitehead (THS) wbf Robert Tyndall, 4:27; 162 -- Chris Morning (THS) wbf Craig Dodd, 3:28; 173 -- Brandon Speaker (THS) wbf Daniel Vines, 3:40; 191 -- Corey Smith (THS) dec. Darrin Gorham, 6-4; 217 -- Kirk Heffley (THS) dec. Marquis Eanes, 7-2; Hwt -- Eric Sutton (THS) dec. Justin Wellington, 3-0; 105 -- double forfeit; 114 -- Phillip Freeman (GC) wbf Matt Jones, 1:20.

Records: Greene Central 10-3, 3-0 Eastern Plains 2-A.

Rosewood takes

two C/T-RC wins

Rosewood High remained unbeaten on the Carolina/Tar-Roanoke 1-A Conference scene with back-to-back victories over Louisburg and Princeton.

The Eagles (12-5, 3-0 C/T-RC) recorded five falls and turned back Louisburg 51-25 on Thursday evening. They drew five forfeits and notched two falls in a 54-30 win over short-handed Princeton on Wednesday.

Brandon Dean (189 pounds), David Smeltzer (215), Olivia Neal (103), Jim Bish (125) and Matt Davis (135) each collected a fall against Louisburg. Neal improved to 3-0 against C/T-RC opposition and now has nine pins in 13 matches this season.

Byron Cavenaugh earned a decision against the Warriors' Mohamad Camara at 145 pounds. Teammates J.D. Baker (119), Chris Hare (130) and Chris Holmes (171) each received a forfeit.

"It wasn't pretty, but we'll take it," said veteran Rosewood coach Bill Edmundson. "We still haven't recovered from being out last week with no practice. Our stamina was low and we looked sluggish.

"We had better find a way to tighten up before next week's showdown with North Johnston on Thursday, and then the conference tri-meet with Manteo and Spring Creek. I expect us to be back at competitive strength by the middle of next week."

Rosewood and Princeton combined for seven forfeits on Wednesday.

Bish, Hare and Cavenaugh each picked up a pin for the Eagles.

Matt Wilkins (125), Matt Blackwell (152), Baudelio Valadez (189) and heavyweight Jonathan Hartley each earned a fall for the Bulldogs.

Rosewood 51

Louisburg 25

189 -- Brandon Dean (RHS) wbf Jackson Sherrod, 5:15; 215 -- David Smeltzer (RHS) wbf Brandon Kelley, 1:36; Hwt -- Thomas Redmond (L) wbf Trevor Morris, 1:02; 103 -- Olivia Neal (RHS) wbf Brandon McFarland, 3:01; 112 -- Mamour Camara (L) by forfeit; 119 -- J.D. Baker (RHS) by forfeit; 125 -- Jim Bish (RHS) wbf Rafael Raya, 1:24; 130 -- Chris Hare (RHS) by forfeit; 135 -- Matt Davis (RHS) wbf Mike Allen, 1:59; 140 -- Noel Mueller (L) wbf Anthony Gibson, 3:53; 145 -- Byron Cavenaugh (RHS) dec. Mohamad Camara, 9-5; 152 -- Ernest Henderson (L) dec. Andrew Sass, 8-5; 160 -- Keith Lancaster (L) maj. dec. Jordan Owens, 11-1; 171 -- Chris Holmes (RHS) by forfeit.

Records: Rosewood 12-5, 3-0 Carolina/Tar-Roanoke 1-A.

Rosewood 54

Princeton 30

103 -- Olivia Neal (RHS) by forfeit; 112 -- Gabriel Castro (RHS) by forfeit; 119 -- Jim Bish (RHS) wbf Brandon Baker; 125 -- Matt Wilkins (P) wbf J.D. Baker, 1:59; 130 -- Chris Hare (RHS) wbf Cody McConnell; 135 -- Matt Davis (RHS) by forfeit; 140 -- Langdon (P) by forfeit; 145 -- Byron Cavenaugh (RHS) wbf Zach Stevens; 152 -- Matt Blackwell (P) wbf Andrew Sass; 160 -- Jordan Owens (RHS) by forfeit; 171 -- Chris Holmes (RHS) by forfeit; 189 -- Baudelio Valadez (P) wbf Brandon Dean; 215 -- David Smeltzer (RHS) by forfeit; Hwt -- Jonathan Hartley (P) wbf Trevor Morris.

Records: Rosewood 11-5, 2-0 Carolina/Tar-Roanoke 1-A; Princeton 4-8, 2-2 C/T-RC.

Princeton nips

Spring Creek

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Baudelio Valadez collected a crucial first-period pin and Princeton edged Spring Creek 36-30 in a Carolina/Tar-Roanoke 1-A Conference match Thursday evening.

Valadez stuck Patrick Murphy in 1 minute, 25 seconds to give the Bulldogs a 36-24 lead heading into the final match. Princeton (5-8) forfeited the final individual match to the Gators' Wes Denham and claimed its third league victory in five outings.

Heavyweight Jonathan Hartley, Brandon Baker (125), Matt Wilkins (130), Zach Stevens (145) and Matt Blackwell (152) each picked up an individual win.

Spring Creek's Paul Richter improved to 7-7 overall with a two-minute fall against Cody McConnell at 135 pounds. Teammates Paul Magnus (140), Daquan Wright (160) and Ross Montafia (171) each picked up a forfeit.

Princeton plays host to Smithfield-Selma next Thursday, while Spring Creek entertains Eastern Wayne next Tuesday.

Princeton 36

Spring Creek 30

Hwt -- Jonathan Hartley (P) wbf Dwight Strickland, 2:45; 103 -- double forfeit; 112 -- double forfeit; 119 -- double forfeit; 125 -- Brandon Baker (P) by forfeit; 130 -- Matt Wilkins (P) wbf Darin Straub, 0:48; 135 -- Paul Richter (SC) wbf Cody McConnell, 2:00; 140 -- Paul Magnus (SC) by forfeit; 145 -- Zach Stevens (P) by forfeit; 152 -- Matt Blackwell (P) wbf Paul Hayes, 0:58; 160 -- Daquan Wright (SC) by forfeit; 171 -- Ross Montafia (SC) by forfeit; 189 -- Baudelio Valadez (P) wbf Patrick Murphy, 1:25; 215 -- Wes Denham (SC) by forfeit.

Records: Princeton 5-8, 3-2 Carolina/Tar-Roanoke 1-A Conference.

Basketball

Warrior JV boys

roll past Tigers

WARSAW -- Daviyon Whisonant and Darian Cahill scored 15 points each in Eastern Wayne's 71-45, non-conference victory Wednesday at James Kenan. Dee Alston led the Tigers with 12 points.

Eastern Wayne (10-3) entertains Kinston today. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Middle schools

Dillard boys 55, Goldsboro 41 -- Braddock Gross led three players in double figures with 21 points. Kris Hutchins added 16 points, while Terry Moore provided 12. The Tigers (9-1) improved to 6-0 against Wayne County Middle School Athletic Conference Division II opponents. Dillard entertains Grantham next Monday afternoon.

Grantham girls 31, Mount Olive 27 -- Christina Glaspie paced the Bulldogs with a team-high 10 points. Teammate Kayla Powell tallied nine points and blocked 10 shots. Mount Olive's Sharnesa Troublefield emerged the game's top scorer with 14 points. Grantham (4-6, 3-2 WCMSAC Division II) travels to Dillard next Monday afternoon.

Norwayne girls 33, Brogden 30 (OT) -- Beth Carter collected 10 points and teammate Ashley Steinberg chipped in six for the Cobras. Ebony Brooks paced the visiting Rams with nine points. Norwayne (9-1, 4-1 WCMSAC Division I) plays host to Greenwood next Monday afternoon.

Goldsboro girls 55, Dillard 22 -- Zeara McDuffie poured in a season- and game-high 29 points for Goldsboro. Akeyanna Whitler led Dillard with 10 points. Goldsboro (6-4, 6-0 WCMSAC Division II) entertains Eastern Wayne next Monday afternoon.

Eastern Wayne boys 65, Greenwood 29 -- Will White collected a double-double -- 19 points, 10 rebounds -- for the Warriors. Hassan Best recorded 15 points and Landon Case dished out six assists. The Warriors (10-0, 6-0 WCMSAC Division I) visit Goldsboro next Monday afternoon.

Greenwood girls 43, Eastern Wayne 28 -- Sharmori Horrells and Danielle Daniel scored 15 and 12 points, respectively, for the T-Birds. Alta Black led the Warriors with six points. Greenwood (10-0) is the guest of Norwayne next Monday afternoon.