Cougars turn back Jaguars
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on December 1, 2010 1:47 PM
Every team goes through growing pains during early-season play. Goldsboro is no different, except it's winning games in which it struggles.
The Cougars got points from eight different players en route to a 58-50, non-conference boys' basketball win over Rocky Mount Prep inside Norvell T. Lee Gymnasium on Tuesday night.
"There is definitely a learning curve in the first couple games," said Cougars head coach Patrick Reynell. "We completely changed our offense from last season and I think it's going to take some time for everyone to get comfortable."
The early minutes looked awkward for the Cougars as Rocky Mount Prep sank its first four shots and opened up an 8-0 lead. Undaunted, Goldsboro charged back with a 9-0 run of its own.
The Jaguars walked into the locker room with a 25-23 lead at the intermission thanks primarily to a distinct rebounding advantage.
"They killed us on the defensive glass, especially early in the game," said Reynell. "They play pretty much all man-to-man defense and they have some guys who box out well and are good jumpers."
Goldsboro rebounded in the third quarter as the Jaguars went cold from the field and the Cougars began to turn defense into offense. A high-speed, full court press lured the Jags into back-to-back turnovers. Devonte White and Robert Kornegay turned the miscues into layups to end the third quarter and give the Cougars a three-point advantage.
Rocky Mount Prep pulled within two points twice in the fourth quarter before the Cougars pulled away with an exhibition of clutch free throw shooting. Corteiz Sprangle scored all six of his points in the fourth quarter, including a perfect 4-for-4 night at the charity stripe.
"Our defense was really our best offense in the second half," said Reynell. "It was good to show our guys that we can win a game even when we don't shoot the ball very well."
Kornegay led the Cougars with 15 points and six rebounds. James Williams finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Devonte White added 12 points.
Jordan Bunting paced the Jaguars with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Goldsboro (2-0 overall) entertains county rival C.B. Aycock on Friday night.