Rosewood survives against Gates County

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 22, 2011 1:47 PM

• Print
• Email

No scouting report.

No preparation time.

Almost no problem.

Rosewood established a double-digit, second-half lead and turned back Gates County, 48-42, in opening-round action of the 2011 N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A boys' basketball playoffs Monday evening.

The Eagles (14-9 overall) defeated their fourth straight opponent, and entertain Four Rivers member Manteo at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

"Survive and advance," said Rosewood coach Daniel Mitchell. "Once you get to the playoffs and play those teams you've never played before, you have to make those in-game adjustments.

"We talked about trying to do that and hopefully we'll improve on those in the second round."

Gates County (10-10) started out man-to-man against Rosewood in the opening quarter, and quickly paid on the defensive end. Cody Harris buried two 3-pointers off assists from Dee Mabry and Jyonte Raynor, which fueled a game-opening, 11-2 run.

The Red Barons switched to a zone and the Eagles lost focus.

Senior CJ Griffin, who led all scorers with 19 points, and fellow senior Graham Hobbs hit baskets to pull Gates County to within 11-10 early in the second quarter.

"They went zone, we looked a little tentative and rushed at times, and we couldn't get into an offensive flow," said Mitchell.

Rosewood led 18-15 at halftime.

Mitchell reminded his team to adapt to the pace of the game, and get Jacquez Raynor more touches on the ball. Raynor responded with 12 second-half points, including a 6 of 7 effort at the free throw line.

The Eagles used an 8-3 run to grab their biggest advantage, 29-18, late in the third quarter. Jyonte scored two baskets, Jacquez added a free throw and Zach Thornton capped the run with a layup off Garrett Burns' lone assist of the game.

Gates County rallied to within 33-27 early in the fourth quarter, and Rosewood answered with a 7-2 run. Raynor's two free throws seemingly put the game out of reach at 40-29.

The Red Barons responded with a 13-6 run as Griffin heated up in the transition game. Tommy Arline and Dwane Miner added baskets for the visitors, who trailed 46-42 with about 10 seconds on the clock.

"They kept fighting and maybe if we had a couple of more minutes (at the end), it might have been a different ballgame," said Gates County interim coach Lulu Eure. "We played a little soft sometimes, but we came back and that's all I can ask. I've only had them for nine practices."

Burns drained two free throws with 5.6 seconds to seal the outcome.