Saints eliminate Washington in 3-A playoffs

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 24, 2006 2:22 PM

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DUDLEY -- Practice makes perfect?

Maybe.

Three good practice days intertwined with a six-day layoff gave second-year Southern Wayne coach Mike Connelley a positive feeling heading into Thursday's sectional semifinal contest against Washington. Sitting in his office after the game, Connelley felt grateful that the Saints survived what he called a "lethargic effort."

Southern Wayne built a double-digit lead by halftime but could never pull away in its 78-62 victory over Washington. The Pam Pack challenged every offensive spurt with a run of its own, but couldn't keep the momentum in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A sectional No. 4 contest.

The Saints (23-2) earned a trip to the sectional final for the third time in the last four years and sixth time overall since 1992. They continue play Saturday evening at Rocky Mount Senior High (15-11) with the winner advancing to the eastern regionals.

Washington concluded its season 12-14.

"I told them I'm glad we have no more (playoff) byes," said Connelley. "I told them no matter what you tell me, by your actions, you thought it was going to be easy (tonight).

"Obviously, it's not pretty, but it's a win and you advance."

Akeem Royal emerged the Saints' top scorer with 24 points, including a 7 of 7 effort from the free throw line. Delawn Armwood contributed 17 second-half points and 19 overall. Antonio Davis provided 16 points with 10 combined in the first two quarters.

Southern Wayne finished a perfect 13-0 at home.

"You would just like to believe that, at this time of the year, you'd get after it all the time (on defense)," said Connelley. "That's disappointing. We'll address that tomorrow in practice."

The Saints forced 24 turnovers, but failed to consistently make the Pam Pack pay for its mistakes. Connelley's club, at times, showed some success against the 2-3 zone. At other times, however, his team settled for ill-advised jumpers outside the 3-point arc.

"Right below the foul line was wide open and we just did not take advantage of that," said Connelley. "We worked on that because we knew it would be open. That's disappointing."

Washington, behind the play of junior forward Brenden Rodgers, pulled within 39-30 midway through the third quarter. The Saints answered with a 12-7 run which gave them a 51-37 edge heading into the final period.

The Pam Pack pulled within 62-52 with 3:47 left in regulation.

But Royal and Austin Hood stopped the momentum and turned in a combined 6 for 6 effort at the free throw line. Armwood drained a back-breaking 3-pointer to quiet any further comeback attempts.

Senior Calvin Daniels paced the Pam Pack's attack with 21 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots. Daniels, who broke Dominique Wilkins' school career-scoring record, finished with 1,940 points.

Kerry Jones added a double-double -- 12 points, 16 rebounds. Rodgers chipped in 12 points and 13 rebounds.

2006 N.C. High School

Athletic Association

Class 3-A Sectional No. 4

Playoffs

(at So. Wayne HS, Dudley)

Washington 7 11 19 25 -- 62

So. Wayne 15 15 21 27 -- 78

WASHINGTON (12-14)

Derrick Roundtree 2 0 1-2 5, Daquan Daniels 3 0 0-0 6, Brandon Rodgers 4 0 4-7 12, Kerry Jones 6 0 0-1 12, Calvin Daniels 6 2 3-5 21, Ben Fox 0 0 0-0 0, Jamar Moore 2 0 0-0 4, William Conner 1 0 0-0 2. TOTALS -- 24 2 8-15 62.

SOUTHERN WAYNE (23-2)

Derek Garris 3 0 0-0 6, Anthony Council 1 0 0-0 2, Antonio Davis 7 0 2-7 16, Akeem Royal 7 1 7-7 24, Delawn Armwood 6 2 1-5 19, Jay Connelley 0 0 0-0 0, Justin Bellamy 0 1 2-2 5, Austin Hood 1 0 2-2 4, Jon Hart 1 0 0-0 2. TOTALS -- 26 4 14-23 78.

3-point goals -- Washington 2 (C. Daniels 2), So. Wayne 4 (Armwood 2, Royal, Bellamy). Turnovers -- Washington 24, So. Wayne 6. Total fouls -- Washington 20, So. Wayne 15. Fouled out -- Roundtree, Jones. Technical fouls -- Royal.