Local digest

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on February 13, 2008 2:15 PM

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SNOW HILL -- With a convincing 64-36 win at Greene Central on Tuesday and some help from North Lenoir, Goldsboro finds itself in a three-way tie for first place in the Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference.

The victory was the Cougars' third straight.

North Lenoir knocked off Tarboro on Tuesday night and those two clubs along with Goldsboro each share a piece of first place in the EPC.

Kianna Williams led the Cougars (10-12 overall, 6-3 EPC) with 21 points to go along with four assists and four steals. Millicent Kornegay had 13 points and seven rebounds. Ziarra McDuffie added 12 points, six assists and four rebounds.

Britnee Jones and Dominique Graham each scored six for the Rams (2-21, 1-8 EPC).

Goldsboro hosts Farmville Central on Friday, while Greene Central travels to North Lenoir.

Saints cruise

WILSON -- Lynnesha Leonard pumped in a game-high 17 points as Southern Wayne throttled Wilson Hunt 54-30 on Tuesday evening.

The Saints (13-9 overall) improved to 5-4 in Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference play and secured the league's No. 3 seed for next week's tournament.

Shakoria Clark added 16 points, four assists and four steals.

Defensively, Southern Wayne controlled the boards and held the Warriors without a field goal for 17-plus minutes.

"They played great together ... an all-around team game right there," said Saints head coach Ricky Lofton. "All the girls gave a great effort."

The Saints entertain C.B. Aycock in the regular-season finale for both teams on Thursday.

Warriors win big

Appearing to be in postseason form, Eastern Wayne routed rival Charles B. Aycock 80-37 in Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference action Tuesday night.

In her final home game Warriors (17-4 overall, 7-2 ECC) senior Brittani Billups finished with 29 points, including 18 in the first half, and also added 13 rebounds and five blocks. T'iarra McIntyre pitched in 12 points and Jasmine Middleton had 10.

"It's nice to go out on a high note like that on senior night," Eastern Wayne head coach Brent Holland said. "I hate to see them go. We were extremely disappointed Friday night and we didn't need a let down. We really played well tonight and got off to a good start."

Chantel Gaines led Aycock (3-20, 2-7 ECC) with 24 points.

Eastern Wayne visits Kinston on Thursday while the Golden Falcons travel to Southern Wayne.

Panthers tag Gators

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Senior Night didn't go as planned for Spring Creek as North Johnston handed the Gators a 71-51 loss in Carolina 1-A Conference play Tuesday.

Savannah Egleston finished with 14 points for Spring Creek (4-14, 2-7 CC) Tasha Whitfield and Maura Phipps each had eight. Whitfield also grabbed nine rebounds.

Spring Creek visits North Duplin on Friday.

Boys

Dogs caged

AYDEN -- Ayden-Grifton clinched the Carolina 1-A Conference title outright with a 62-30 win over Princeton on Tuesday.

Ryan Daughtry paced the Bulldogs (17-6, 6-3 CC) with 14 points and Michael Radford had five.

Steffen McGee and Matt Daughtery each scored 18 for the Chargers.

Princeton hosts Rosewood on Friday.

Junior varsity

* C.B. Aycock boys 36, Eastern Wayne 32 -- Matt Woodard knocked down a free throw with four seconds left to help the Golden Falcons escape with the win. Molonza Hayes had 11 points for Aycock and Shepard Whitfield contributed nine points and 11 rebounds. The Golden Falcons (5-16, 4-5 ECC) visit Southern Wayne on Thursday.

* Eastern Wayne girls 49, Kinston 34 -- Janielle Daniel tallied 14 points for Eastern Wayne (14-2 overall, 4-1 ECC) and Cathy Benjamin and Mauriel Baker each added nine. The Warriors conclude their season on Thursday at home against Kinston.

* Wayne Christian girls 54, Cape Fear Christian 37 -- Outscoring Cape Fear 22-12 in the fourth quarter, Wayne Christian advanced to the finals of the Carolina Christian 1-A Conference tournament with the victory. Charity Wright, Kayla Kennedy and Devan Isenhower each scored 13 points for the Eagles. Isenhower and Wright pulled down 12 and 10 rebounds, respectively. Carly Hightower contributed eight points. Wayne Christian (12-3 overall) will host Trinity of Durham on Friday in the tournament finals.

Middle schools

* Rosewood girls 29, Dillard 27 -- Kari Jo Gurley paced the Eagles (6-8 overall, 4-4) with 13 points, and Laura Vincent had 11. Kelsey White led Dillard with 10 points.