Goldsboro boys claim Classic title

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

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Reignited and refueled.

Goldsboro used some late defensive heroics to defeat Wilmington Laney 75-68 in the boys' championship game of the annual Cougar Tip-off Classic.

Michael Langston, returning from an injury, and former football player Demetrio Irby provided the spark that the Cougars needed.

"Getting those guys back was big for us," said first-year head coach Chris Cherry said. "Mike and Demetrio really stepped up and played well."

Trailing 36-35 at the half, Cherry asked his team to take the next step on the defensive end.

The message paid off immediately.

Goldsboro did not shoot a high-percentage shot in the third quarter, but they did turn the halftime deficit into a 58-55 lead.

"I think that guys are starting to understand what we are trying to do on defense," said Cherry. "We have to play well on that end with some of our scorers still not ready to play."

Antwan Bosier carried the Laney offense early by scoring 10 of the team's first 22 points. Bosier also delivered the high-flying highlight of the evening -- a soaring tomahawk dunk off a steal at midcourt.

In the second quarter, both teams' hot shooting turned cold as fouls became an issue for both coaches. Stiff defense and choppy play led to the Buccaneers' 36-35 halftime advantage.

Irby scored 13 of his team-high 17 points after the intermission. Not to be outdone, Langston controlled the clock by handling the ball and chipped in four foul shots down the stretch. Rasean Brewington added 13 points and nine rebounds in the victory.

"We had a tough stretch in the first week, with some guys out and some really tough opponents," said Cherry. "To come out of here with two wins is really a good feeling."

The Cougars (2-3 overall) were once again without Keovanta McDuffie, who missed his third consecutive game with a banged up knee. Cherry expects to get additional players back from the football team for a much-needed practice session on Monday.

"We basically have to start over in practice and reteach some of the stuff we have already gone over," said Cherry. "We know that we have to keep working if we want to be at our best before January 9 when we open conference play."

Goldsboro's girls battled Wilmington Hoggard in the championship game of the annual Cougar Tip-off Classic, but unfortunately for the home crowd the Vikings came out firing and took home a 62-55 victory.

The Vikings seized an early 14-12 lead on the shoulders of hot-shooting Katy Norris. The senior forward buried two shots from beyond the arc and went a perfect 5 for 5 at the foul line in the first quarter.

Ki'Ana Williams answered in the second eight minutes when she too found her stroke from long range. Williams sank four 3-pointers in the quarter and finished the first half with 14 points.

Williams scored 23 points, but the short Goldsboro bench emphasized Hoggard's depth. Millicent Kornegay finished with 10 points and Akeyanna Whitler chipped in eight points.

After the Cougars (3-2 overall) captured a brief 42-40 lead in the third quarter, Norris and Danielle Bonigarno took over.

Norris continued to bomb away from 3-point range and finished with 23 points. Bonigarno used her well-honed ball handling skills to keep the Cougar press at bay as the final minutes ticked away.