CBA boys earn 1-1 split at Cougar Tip-Off Classic; Girls go 0-2

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on November 30, 2008 2:00 AM

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Charles B. Aycock continued its stellar start to the basketball season with a 49-44 victory over Rocky Mount Prep in the consolation round of the annual Goldsboro Cougar Tip-off Classic on Saturday afternoon.

"I was really pleased that we got all of our guys in, and they all got some playing time," said Aycock boys' head coach David Wes. "Down the stretch everyone got to play in critical time, and that experience is important."

In the first half, the Golden Falcons established their dominance in the paint.

Jonathan Williams scored all six of his points in the lane off drive-and-dish plays by Tyheim Pitt. On the defensive end, Dacota Wilcox delivered three of his game-high four blocks.

After Aycock jumped out to a 16-5 advantage, Rocky Mount Prep finally found a combination able to create scoring opportunities. Dominique Hayes and Daniel Stith's back-to-back baskets cut the Golden Falcon lead to 22-18. The scoring surge changed the momentum before the hafltime horn.

"We talked about defense after last night's game, and I was glad to see us turn up the defensive intensity," said West. "Kyle came in and picked up three charges and with some big guys in foul trouble, we had to have that kind of effort from him."

The teams played an even third quarter which led to an exciting finish that saw the Golden Falcons (3-1 overall) sinking shots at key times.

A pair of Khendra Reid baskets extended the Aycock advantage to seven, and essentially sealed the visitors' fate. Matt Woodard locked up the victory in the final minutes by sinking five consecutive free throws.

"We shot much better from the free throw line tonight than we had in the past couple games, and that helped us maintain the lead," said West. "That's Matt (Woodard's) gift. He made some big free throws in the fourth quarter."

For the game, Pitt led the balanced Golden Falcon offense with 10 points. Reid and Jonathan Williams each chipped in eight points, respectively.

The Charles B. Aycock girls basketball team fell to Wilmington Laney 28-27 in the consolation game of the Tip-Off Classic.

Fourth-quarter action ebbed and flowed for the Golden Falcons, who cut the Buccaneers' lead to 28-27 with 56 seconds left.

Instead of fouling in order to conserve the clock, C.B. Aycock chose to play tight perimeter defense in an attempt to force a turnover. The strategy backfired as the Bucs calmly passed the ball around the key and ran out the remaining time.

Camille WIlliams paced the Golden Falcons with 10 points and six blocks. Courtnei Gilbert added nine points in the loss.

The game started well for the defensive minded Golden Falcons, who jumped out to a 13-10 lead at the half. Aycock (0-4) maintained its advantage until the opening minutes of the fourth quarter when Rebecca Burke's basket put Laney ahead 22-21.

Lyndsey Volmin led the Buccaneers with eight points. Burke and Torie Parker each added six points, respectively.