Rosewood edged by LeJeune
By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on December 18, 2010 11:13 PM
Eager to see how his team would respond to a 30-point loss at Lejeune on Tuesday night, Rosewood head coach Daniel Mitchell got just the type of effort he was looking for.
The Eagles erased a six-point deficit early in the fourth quarter and had opportunities to win late in a 51-49 home loss to Lejeune on Friday night.
Rosewood's 9-2 run in the third quarter, that included a pair of Antonio Henriques' 3-pointer's, gave the Eagles a 33-28 lead.
The Devil Pups responded with a 9-0 run of their own and led 37-33 entering the fourth quarter.
Lejeune took a 42-36 lead on Craig Wilson's 3-point play midway though the fourth quarter.
Mitchell called a timeout and Rosewood answered as Cody Harris' 3 tied the game at 44-44 with fewer than two minutes to play.
"I just wanted to get a timeout and try to get them settled," said Mitchell. "I wanted to make sure we got a good look down on our end and to be patient. There was no need to rush. I thought we did a good job of that. I was mainly looking to see what kind of effort we were going to have after Tuesday and I thought the guys responded."
Gaven Allen's tip-in off Wilson's missed free throw with fewer than 60 seconds left put Lejeune ahead for good at 48-46. Wilson finished with a game-high 21 points.
Henriques' 3-point attempt was off the mark on the Eagles' next offensive possession. Wilson sank a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 50-46. Rosewood was whistled for an offensive foul on its next trip down the floor.
"We probably didn't need the 3 down by two but (Henriques) had an open look at the basket and it's one he had to take," said Mitchell. "He just rushed it a little bit. Then after that, we got a foul scrambling for a loose ball."
Henriques drained a 3-pointer with four seconds left to pull the Eagles to within 50-49. Wilson sank 1 of 2 free throws with two seconds to play. Rosewood's chance at a last-second shot never materialized as Zach Thornton's pass was intercepted at midcourt.
"I thought the guys battled all night, especially when they got down," said Mitchell. "They didn't quit, they didn't give up. We know we're going to have to bring that type of effort and intensity every night in the league. There's not going to be an easy game. If we play at that level we'll give ourselves a chance to be in every ballgame."
Thornton led the Eagles with 16 points. Henriques added 11 and Harris had eight.
Rosewood (6-2) plays host to Charles B. Aycock on Dec. 30.