Cougars halt Rocky Mount Prep
By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on February 23, 2010 1:46 PM
Fast and furious.
Goldsboro used a swarming full-court press to force turnovers and create transition opportunities in a 61-52 win over Rocky Mount Prep in the first round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A state playoffs Monday evening.
The Cougars play host to Wallace-Rose Hill on Wednesday evening.
Goldsboro shook off a sluggish start and created turnovers with its pressure defense. The miscues fueled a 12-0 run early in the second quarter as the Cougars played at a frenzied pace.
Rasean Brewington's free throws capped the run and gave Goldsboro a 19-11 lead less than midway through the second quarter. The Cougars outscored the Jaguars 25-9 in the second quarter and took a 32-20 lead into halftime.
"We felt like if we got a turnover that's an automatic primary break and push the ball," said Goldsboro head coach Patrick Reynell. "We just didn't feel like they could run with us. That's the pace we want and then at the end of the game we're so experienced we can slow it down and still be effective."
Rocky Mount Prep trimmed the lead to 44-35 entering the fourth quarter and saw the deficit swell to 57-40 with a little over three minutes to play. The Jaguars scored seven unanswered points at the free throw line and pulled to within 57-47.
The Cougars (19-7 overall) made 5 of 6 free throws in the final 75 seconds to put the game away.
Rasean Brewington scored 15 points for Goldsboro and pulled down nine rebounds. James Williams added 12 points, seven rebounds and six blocks. Demetrio Irby had 11 points.
"I think tonight James' blocked shots were because he stayed square with the offensive player," said Reynell. "He used his left hand on the left side and we've been waiting for that. Everything's been right with him all year and we talked about that at halftime.
"We've been waiting for it and him being aggressive. To his credit, he also knew when to kick the ball out."
The Cougars avenged a season-opening, 63-56 loss at Rocky Mount Prep.
Dominique Hayes led Rocky Mount Prep (19-11) with 15 points.