Goldsboro falls to Greene Central

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 16, 2006 2:35 PM

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Fourth-quarter execution emerged the key to Goldsboro High's success during its march toward the Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference regular-season men's basketball championship.

For two costly minutes, the Cougars forgot about it Wednesday evening. Forced to foul, Goldsboro wasted three quarters of a minute before putting Greene Central senior Dreyan Willis on the free throw line with 16.9 seconds left in regulation. Willis calmly drained both attempts and the fifth-seeded Rams pulled off the upset, 59-56, in the EPC tournament semifinals.

Greene Central (15-9) faces second-seeded North Pitt (12-8) for the title Friday evening in Bethel. The Rams, a possible wildcard playoff entry, could clinch an automatic bid if they win the tournament.

Meanwhile, Farmville Central's girls moved one step closer to sweeping the EPC team awards this season. N.C. State signee Megan Zullo provided a triple-double -- 13 points, 12 rebounds, 14 assists -- in the Jaguars' 66-38 conquest of the Cougars.

Farmville Central (18-3) faces longtime nemesis Tarboro High (16-8) for the title on Friday evening at North Pitt.

The boys' contest featured four lead changes during a four-minute stretch in the final period. Charles Gamble's offensive putback gave the Rams the lead for good, 57-56, with 1:21 left in regulation.

Goldsboro maneuvered the ball down court and Branden Herring's layup agonizingly rolled off the rim into the waiting arms of Gamble. Gamble attempted to score and pad the Rams' slim lead, but Joe Houpe recorded his sixth block of the contest.

Houpe missed a shot underneath the basket and Gamble, again, snagged the rebound.

"We got some great looks and Joe got a great shot at the end," said Goldsboro High coach Randy Jordan. "We just couldn't get a basket to fall."

The Rams, who lost both regular-season meetings to Goldsboro, worked the ball downcourt and properly executed their delay game. Jordan and his staff shouted for the players to foul and when Willis got the ball in his hands, the official finally blew the whistle.

"He was the one we didn't want to foul and we wanted to foul earlier," said Jordan. "Part of that I will attribute to crowd noise and part of it was we just didn't focus that last minute and a half (of play).

"I thought that we would have based on what we've done this year."

However, the Cougars still had a chance to force overtime.

After Willis sank both free throws, Jordan called timeout with 11.9 seconds to go. He talked about a set play designed for co-captain Tim Kornegay or Raheem Lofton in the huddle. Once Goldsboro put the ball in play, the Rams immediately trapped Kornegay, who tossed the ball over to Eric McLean.

Willis blocked McLean's shot and time expired.

"We did not execute it at all," said Jordan. "It just comes down to keeping your composure and executing. We've won a lot of games like that this year. Maybe we were due to lose one, I don't know."

Willis, who tallied a game-high 25 points, buried five consecutive 3-pointers in the third quarter to keep Greene Central within striking distance. The Cougars led 43-42 after three periods, but the Rams eventually claimed a 50-48 lead on two Reggie Johnson free throws.

"(Willis) went wild on us in the third quarter," said Jordan. "We told them if he gives up the ball, deny him and don't let him get it back. It's just a matter of defensive execution."

Kornegay emerged Goldsboro's top scorer with 18 points, while Lofton provided 12. Six-foot-7 center Daquan Joyner missed the game due to pink eye, but should return for the Cougars' home state playoff game next week. Houpe and Antonio Green combined for 10 rebounds and eight blocked shots, but just four points, in Joyner's absence. Joyner averages a double-double -- 18 points, 12 rebounds.

Goldsboro's girls played an impressive second half Monday against Greene Central and carried that momentum into the first quarter against Farmville Central. The teams were tied at 12-12 after eight minutes of action.

Tiffany Burden's offensive putback gave the Cougars their first -- and last lead -- at 14-12 early in the second period. The Jaguars responded with a 22-3 run which resulted in a 34-17 advantage at halftime.

Veteran Goldsboro coach Gladys McClary credited the Jaguars' transition game. Instead of keeping two guards back to defend their basket, all five Cougars attempted to crash the boards. When the taller Farmville players got the rebound, they released two players down court.

"Before we could get to halfcourt, the ball was already in the basket," said McClary. "When you see that going on and can't control the situation, you see the frustration on your players' faces. That's what I didn't like.

"They kept trying to box out anyway and kept trying to play defense. There was no reason to be upset."

Senior point guard Chevoya Jackson, the reigning News-Argus player of the year, collected a double-double -- 16 points, 10 rebounds -- to go along with three assists and five steals. Danielle Irby contributed eight second-half points.

Kim Zullo led the Jaguars with 26 points.

Goldsboro concluded play 11-14 overall, but could be eligible for one of six wildcard berths available in the East for the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs. The NCHSAA is expected to release the pairings Saturday.

2006 Class 2-A

Eastern Plains Conference

Basketball Tournament

(at Goldsboro HS)

Girls semifinal

Goldsboro 12 5 10 11 -- 38

Farmville Central 12 22 18 14 -- 66

GOLDSBORO (11-14)

Carmille Early 0 0 0-0 0, Angel Roberts 1 0 0-0 2, Chevoya Jackson 3 2 4-8 16, Helga Bryant 0 1 0-0 3, Kianna Williams 0 0 0-0 0, Tiffany Burden 1 0 2-2 4, Danielle Irby 4 0 0-2 8, Johneisha Maye 1 0 1-2 3, Mikeda Graham 1 0 0-0 2, Millicent Kornegay 0 0 0-0 0, Victoria Williams 0 0 0-0 0, Kenretta Mewborn 0 0 0-0 0. TOTALS -- 11 37-14 38.

FARMVILLE CENTRAL (18-3)

Brittaney Talbott 3 0 0-2 6, Shawanna Andrews 1 0 0-0 2, Shakina Gorham 0 0 0-0 0, Crystal Smith 2 0 1-2 5, Stephony Newkirk 2 0 0-2 4, Kim Zullo 12 0 2-2 26, Lashonna Shannon 2 0 4-8 8, Iman Zeitawi 1 0 0-0 2, Megan Zullo 5 1 0-0 13. TOTALS -- 28 1 7-16 66.

3-point goals -- Goldsboro 3 (Jackson 2, Bryant). Turnovers -- Goldsboro 18, F. Central 15. Total fouls -- Goldsboro 14, F. Central 13. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none.

Boys semifinal

Greene Central 18 7 17 17 -- 59

Goldsboro 15 13 15 13 -- 56

GREENE CENTRAL (15-9)

Dreyan Willis 3 5 4-4 25, Kelsey Baker 0 0 1-2 1, Chevalier Howell 0 0 0-0 0, Reggie Johnson 2 2 4-4 14, Brandon Sutton 0 0 2-2 2, Charles Gamble 4 1 6-12 17. TOTALS -- 9 8 17-24 59.

GOLDSBORO (15-10)

Branden Herring 0 0 0-0 0, Burnie Best 2 0 0-0 4, Eric McLean 0 0 0-0 0, Tim Kornegay 8 0 2-3 18, Raheem Lofton 4 0 4-5 12, Anthony Artis 2 0 0-2 4, Tim Hobbs 3 0 2-3 8, Treme Boone 1 0 4-4 6, Joe Houpe 0 0 0-0 0, Antonio Green 2 0 0-0 4. TOTALS -- 22 0 12-17 56.

3-point goals -- G. Central 8 (Willis 5, Johnson 2, Gamble). Turnovers -- Goldsboro 21, G. Central 12. Total fouls -- Goldsboro 20, G. Central 16. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none.