Local digest

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on February 22, 2007 2:23 PM

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Spring Creek ousted by East Columbus

LAKE WACCAMAW -- Jermaine Waddell' s 16 points and 20 rebounds were big factors for East Columbus in an 82-46 victory over Spring Creek in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A men's basketball playoffs.

"Jermaine can be a real enforcer," said East Columbus coach Clarence Ganus of the 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior. "Tonight, he went after the boards hard and that helped set the tempo. It's probably one of the best team efforts we've had all season."

East Columbus improved to 23-5 while Spring Creek closed its season at 11-14. With the win, East Columbus managed to avenge a 75-67 second-round loss to Spring Creek in last year's playoffs.

"I think the disappointment of last year's loss may have played a part in preparing for the game," said Ganus, who took over as ECHS coach this season. "Our guys came our focused."

ECHS went on a 23-9 run in the second quarter for a 41-19 halftime lead.

B.J. Patrick scored 15 points and Jerry Moore had 14 for East Columbus. Anthony Fields followed with 10 as 11 ECHS players figured in the scoring.

Desmond Raiford scored 11 points for Spring Creek and Lucas Potter had 10. SCHS managed to connect on only 4 of 13 attempts from the foul line.

East Columbus entertains Ayden-Grifton on Friday. The winner advances to the eastern regional in Greenville.

Jaguars pull

off road upset

SNOW HILL -- Farmville Central pulled away in the second half and posted a shocking 68-48 upset of Greene Central in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 2-A men's basketball playoffs.

Chevalier Howell paced the Rams with 18 points, while Trey Travis contributed 11. Reggie Johnson added nine points.

Greene Central concluded the year 20-7 overall.

Bertie ousts

Southern Wayne

WINDSOR -- Orlando Davis pumped in a team-leading 21 points in Southern Wayne's 71-66, season-ending loss at Bertie in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A men's basketball playoffs.

Julian Colbert and Anthony Vick tallied 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Saints.

"Overall, I have nothing but positive things to say about the whole season," said first-year Southern Wayne head coach Russell Royal. "Coming into it, we had no idea what to expect as far as the team and how far we can go. I'm definitely proud of the guys, especially toward the end of the year."

Southern Wayne pulled off back-to-back upsets in the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference tournament and earned a postseason berth. The Saints, who graduated nine seniors last season, won four of their final six games and ended the year 13-14 overall.

Girls

Havelock ends

Aycock's season

HAVELOCK -- Havelock erased a third-quarter deficit and slipped past Charles B. Aycock 38-37 in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A women's basketball playoffs.

Chantel Gaines emerged the Golden Falcons' top scorer with 10 points. Bridgette Briggs and Jazzmine Lee supplied seven points apiece.

The Rams, of the Coastal 8 Conference, trailed 30-27 after three quarters. They outscored Aycock 11-7 in the final eight minutes of regulation.

"The girls played a great game," said Aycock head coach Carrie Reynell. "In the end, we put ourselves in a position to win, but as was the case the whole game, our shots just didn't fall."

Aycock finished the year 10-16 overall.