Local digest

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on December 8, 2008 1:46 PM

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PINETOPS -- Charles B. Aycock's Brandon Bailey and Rosewood's Zach Behrend each earned a gold medal during the 17th annual Pierce-Davis Memorial contested Saturday at SouthWest Edgecombe.

Bailey, a senior, recorded two falls and a major decision to reach the 130-pound championship match. The Golden Falcon grappler turned back Edenton Holmes' Tevin Holley 9-2 in the final.

Behrend, who competed at 103 pounds, posted two falls and then trounced Northern Nash's Corey Johnson 15-3 in the championship match. It was Behrend's first tournament title of his career.

"(This title) is one of many to come for this young man," said Rosewood coach Bill Edmundson of Behrend. "It was great to see the hard work and personal sacrifices pay off for Zach and Joshua Holmes this weekend."

Holmes settled for runner-up honors at 145 pounds with a final-round loss to Pasquotank's Ryan Pippen. A returning state placer, Pippen remained unbeaten in six outings this season, while Holmes suffered his first defeat in 11 matches.

Aycock's Justin Farrell claimed second at 119 pounds, while Bryan Diorio tied for third at 215 pounds.

The Eagles amassed just 60 points in the 13-team field and ended up 12th overall. The Golden Falcons collected 68.5 points and wound up 11th.

"Needless to say, as a coaching staff, Coach (Dan) Miner and I were disappointed with the 12th-place finish," said Edmundson. "We will not make any excuses, but we will make this a motivating factor for future competitions."

Rosewood welcomes Princeton for a non-conference match Thursday, and will play host to the annual Eagle Invitational on Dec. 13. C.B. Aycock (4-3 overall) begins defense of its Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference regular-season dual-team championship Tuesday at Wilson Hunt.

Girls' basketball

Rams escape in OT

SNOW HILL -- Dominique Graham led three players in double figures with 15 points, and Greene Central escaped Ayden-Grifton 44-40 in double overtime on Saturday evening.

Brittany Jones chipped in 12 points and Shonice Pettaway scored 10.

The Rams (3-3 overall) entertain Charles B. Aycock on Tuesday.

JV sports

* Boys' basketball: Wayne Christian d. Johnston Christian -- Jordan Crouthamel emerged the Eagles' top scorer with 12 points. Chase King and Gregory Alexander pumped in eight points apiece. Chase Darden supplied five points. Wayne Christian (4-3 overall) visits Faith Christian of Rocky Mount today.

Middle schools

* Boys' basketball: Wayne Christian 34, Johnston Christian 26 -- Baron Wise led the Eagles' balanced offense with seven points. Tyler Lacerta, Dylan Smith and Vincent Magnerella (four rebounds) provided six points apiece. Greg Johnson pulled down a team-high five rebounds.