Aycock boys present Moats with first coaching victory

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 7, 2010 1:47 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- The wait is over.

Steve Moats finally has his first win with Charles B. Aycock.

Senior center Brandon Winford posted a double-double -- 18 points, 16 rebounds -- in the Golden Falcons' 51-39, non-conference victory over North Johnston on Monday evening. Aycock snapped a four-game skid and extended the Panthers' losing streak to three games.

"It was a tough win," said Moats. "Give North Johnston credit for battling back. They had a rough first half shooting the ball, but really scrapped and did a lot of the little things right in the second half, clawed their way right back in it and pushed us to the limit."

Aycock built a 26-11 lead at halftime, only to see North Johnston (2-3) close the gap to 26-19. A.J. Mundle's offensive putback snapped the Golden Falcons' 41/2-minute scoring drought after Moats' team misfired on its first eight possessions of the quarter.

"I wish I could explain (the third-quarter start)," said Moats. "We came out flat in the third quarter and they came out fired up, took it right to us and cut the lead considerably."

Jacquese Alston's 3-pointer pulled the visitors within 37-30 midway through the fourth quarter. Randall Fulghum's traditional three-point play pushed the Golden Falcons' advantage to 40-30.

The Panthers scored seven of the next eight points and climbed to within 41-37 on Wes Mangum's 3-pointer off Malik Adams' assist. Play became chippy at that point as the officials constantly stopped the game by calling fouls on both teams.

Winford got hacked on an offensive rebound, hit both free throws and the Panthers' bench was assessed a technical foul. Winford hit the next free throw and North Johnston never threatened again.

Aycock owned a decisive 24-13 edge the free throw line. The teams combined for 45 fouls and 60 free throw attempts.

Fulghum, who fouled out, contributed 11 points. Shep Whitfield supplied seven points, while Mundle chipped in six points and nine rebounds.