11/21/06 — Wayne Christian just misses at buzzer

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Wayne Christian just misses at buzzer

Published in Sports on November 21, 2006 1:48 PM

KINSTON -- Wayne Christian School coach Tim Brannan thought he was witnessing déjà vu. With the clock running down in his team's game at Arendell-Parrott Academy on Monday, Eric Williams streaked down the courtand released a 45-footer.

The ball hit the rim, bounced up, then spun out of the basket, leaving Brannan's team with a 44-41 loss at the hands of the Patriots. The ending was similar to last year's game, when Parrott hit a full-court shot at the buzzer to escape with a victory.

"We've had some great games with Parrott and we've had a lot of fun," Brannan said. "I'm really proud of my kids."

The Eagles (1-3) dug themselves a hole, only attempting seven shots in the first half while turning the ball over 15 times.

"If you only get (seven) shots in a half, you're not going to win many games," Brannan said. "I told the kids that in the second half, they were going to have to shoot more, that we were going to have to create more shots."

Free throws were also a sticking point to Brannan as his Eagles only connected on 12 of 22 in the game.

"Look at the scoreboard. If we made 75 percent, we would've won the game," Brannan said. "It's part of the game but it's certainly something we need to work on."

Williams led the Eagles with 17 points. The trio of Adam Brannan, Nick Woods and Brian Alexander finished with six points each.

Parrott (1-0) was led by Tate Mooring's 12 points.

The Eagles are off for the Thanksgiving holiday and won't play again until Nov. 28, when they'll face Wayne Country Day.

By BRYAN C. HANKS

Kinston Free Press