Golden Falcons down Cougars
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 28, 2010 1:46 PM
PIKEVILLE -- No zone defense this time.
Aware of Goldsboro's streaky outside shooting, Charles B. Aycock opted for an in-your-face approach Wednesday evening. The Golden Falcons played 32 minutes of relentless man-to-man defense and turned back the Cougars 73-55 in the final non-conference contest for both teams this season.
Aycock swept the regular-season series 2-0.
"I learned my lesson about going zone against (Patrick) Reynell at Goldsboro," said Aycock head coach David West. "They fried us up real quick. So, we got into man over there and were able to stem that tide. I figured it worked there, so let's go to it tonight.
"For our guys against their guys, we match up better against them going man. I thought our defense really stood out."
The Golden Falcons (16-2 overall) deflected passes in the lane, limited the Cougars' offensive possessions and executed in their halfcourt game. Aycock picked Goldsboro for just six steals, but forced 19 additional turnovers. Each team had 34 rebounds, however, the Golden Falcons owned the edge on the offensive glass.
The Cougars fell to 3-5 against county opposition this season.
Reynell used the game as a learning tool with five Carolina 1-A Conference games remaining on the schedule. His substitution pattern drew ire from the Goldsboro fans in attendance, but the first-year coach wanted to see how younger players responded under the pressure defense.
"A lot of people are going to say I didn't want to win the game because of my substitution pattern," said Reynell. "We needed to see what some of these guys can do in case it comes around at some point, in conference and (state) playoffs, when we need to rely on somebody who hasn't been getting much (court) time.
"We need two more guys off the bench who can give us something in the post."
Rasean Brewington emerged the Cougars' lone player in double figures with 18 points, including 10 in the opening quarter. Demetrio Irby and James Williams, who fouled out, contributed eight and seven points, respectively. All 11 Goldsboro players got into the game and 10 scratched in the scoring column.
Dontay Gills led four Aycock players in double figures with 16 points. Issac Ryals knocked down 14, while Brandon Winford recorded 13 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots. Guard Tyheim Pitt provided 10 points and a game-high eight assists.
The Golden Falcons rose to 5-1 against county teams this season.
"Over the last few weeks, I've think we've developed from a bunch of characters to a team with character," said West. "We're still in the process in trying to find out exactly who we are. At this point, we're a hungry team right now and I think our main job as coaches is to keep that fire lit that the guys have already got going.
"If we can continue to do that, we're going to be a successful team, but it's going to be a job."