Local digest
By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on January 28, 2010 1:46 PM
Zeara McDuffie's basket in the final half minute preserved Goldsboro's 50-43, non-conference girls' basketball victory over Charles B. Aycock on Wednesday evening.
The Cougars built a 41-30 advantage with nearly six minutes remaining in the final quarter before the Golden Falcons shaved the deficit to 46-41. Courtney Sheeks, who shared game-high scoring honors with 15 points, knocked down an 8-footer. Charlie Ipock followed with a 3-pointer off Lizzie Fortner's assist.
Goldsboro burned a 30-second timeout to stop the momentum.
McDuffie took a pass from Akeyanna Whitlor, drove the lane and swished a running one-hander with two Aycock defenders in her face. McDuffie stole the Golden Falcons' ensuing possession, hit Alexus Myles with a bounce pass in transition and Myles kissed it off the glass to conclude the scoring.
"That helped out, was designed to get something in there quick to get the momentum back on our side," said Goldsboro coach Brandy Smith. "When you score, you pick up confidence. We needed a confidence builder to at least get us up on defense ... get us more active."
The Cougars (14-4 overall) grabbed eight-point advantages in each of the first three quarters, only to see the Golden Falcons rally to within one possession. Courtnei Gilbert's 3-pointer at the buzzer left Aycock down 21-19 at halftime.
Goldsboro moved back in front by eight late in the third quarter. Aycock climbed within 31-29 with 1:44 to go before the Cougars closed out the period with a 6-1 run.
"We looked real flat and looked out of it defensively, and that's what I'm most concerned about," said Smith. "We barely played any defense at all. We got a couple of steals here and there, but it wasn't consistent enough to where I'm satisfied with how we played."
McDuffie finished with 11 points and a game-high 10 assists, while Myles posted a double-double -- 15 points, 13 rebounds. Whitlor knocked down 12 points, while Kasheika Wallace collected 10 boards.
Sheeks paced the Golden Falcons' offense with 15 points. Gilbert contributed 10 points and four assists.
Weather permitting, Goldsboro entertains North Duplin on Friday, while C.B. Aycock (9-9) welcomes North Lenoir.
JV sports
* Boys' basketball: Goldsboro 44, C.B. Aycock 28 -- Moses Ramsey pumped in a team-leading 16 points for the Cougars, who remained unbeaten in 16 outings this season. Octavius Alston contributed eight points, while teammates Damarian Henderson and Rodney Cook chipped in six points apiece. Goldsboro entertains North Duplin on Friday.