Goldsboro boys rise to 3-0 in league action
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 20, 2010 1:46 PM
Rosewood worked the ball around the perimeter, executed its screens and swished uncontested 3-pointers which electrified its home crowd Tuesday evening.
The Goldsboro pulled the plug.
The Cougars applied ball pressure, created turnovers and cruised to a 72-56 victory on the Carolina 1-A Conference boys' basketball scene.
Cody Harris started the Eagles' 3-point parade with an assist from point guard Jhykia Applewhite. The long-range shot ignited a 16-3 run that included 3-pointers from Applewhite and Antonio Henriques.
Rosewood led 16-9 with 1:33 left in the opening quarter.
"We were just ready to play and knocking down shots was the key," said Rosewood head coach Daniel Mitchell. "I don't know what our shooting percentage was, but we shot the ball well and that was big. We were able to rebound the ball and limit second-chance points.
"We started well."
Goldsboro head coach Patrick Reynell thought he was watching a replay of Friday's come-from-behind win over Princeton. The Dawgs entered halftime with a double-digit advantage before the Cougars seized control.
"Rosewood was executing so well," said Reynell. "The guys took it personal they were able to get so many easy shots. To Rosewood's credit, their guards were really patient, created shots for themselves and knocked them down."
Demetrio Irby's traditional three-point play gave Goldsboro a 20-18 advantage before Applewhite drained Rosewood's fifth 3-pointer of the opening half. The Eagles converted 21 field goals, including 10 from behind the arc, for the game.
Rasean Brewington's 3-pointer off Jarran Reed's assist sparked a 13-0 run for the Cougars (9-5 overall, 3-0 CC). Brewington and Irby nailed 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions to make it 32-21. Irby's layup off Robert Kornegay's steal and assist capped the run.
The Eagles had five turnovers during that stretch.
"We've been enforcing ball pressure," said Reynell. "Not only being active in somebody's hip pocket, but being active with your hands, your feet and your communication. I thought once we stepped out on their guards and applied ball pressure, that made them uncomfortable."
Goldsboro entered halftime ahead 35-24.
Rosewood (6-10, 1-2) started the third quarter with an 8-2 run. Garrett Burns connected on three consecutive field goals, including two 3-pointers as the Eagles climbed within 37-32.
The Cougars answered with a 12-3 run.
"We had spurts where we played well and had some spurts where played poorly," said Mitchell. "Against the better teams, that's how we've been ... inconsistent. We'd play well and then turn around, throw the ball all over the place and give up easy baskets."
Brewington paced three Goldsboro players in double figures with 25 points. Irby added 20, while James Williams just missed a double-double with 15 points and eight rebounds.
Applewhite and Henriques pumped in 15 and 13 points, respectively, for Rosewood. Burns finished with 10.