Golden Falcons' boys' basketball team overcomes adversity on the road

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on November 29, 2012 1:49 PM

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Rather than get frustrated in the face of adversity, Charles B. Aycock's experience-laden team let its play do the talking Wednesday evening.

The Golden Falcons played through numerous difficult calls in the second half and sank key free throws down the stretch during a 57-50, non-conference win against Rosewood.

Aycock junior center Michael Williams led all scorers with 22 points and six rebounds. Point guard Greg Williams added 17 points.

Josh Davis paced the Eagles with 13 points. Jyonte Raynor and Dennis Mitchell each supplied 12 points.

The Golden Falcons struggled to knock down open shots early and Rosewood (1-1 overall) developed an offensive flow in the first quarter. Layups from Jon Hare and Mitchell, along with Raynor's jump shot, pushed the Eagles in front 16-9.

Aycock (3-1) began converting defensive rebounds and turnovers into transition opportunities in the second quarter. Michael Williams asserted himself on the offensive end as the Golden Falcons closed the first half on a 10-4 run and led 27-22 at the break.

Rosewood used a 9-3 run to reclaim the lead at 31-30 on back-to-back baskets from Mitchell. With 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter and Aycock with 10 team fouls to its credit and just four for the Eagles, Golden Falcons' head coach Steve Moats voiced his frustration to the officials. The result was a technical foul and an inspired response from Aycock.

The Golden Falcons outscored Rosewood 23-14 from that point on and played with renewed intensity.

"I think the main thing for us and we have a little bit of an advantage over Rosewood is that we had already played three games and they had only played one," Moats said. "Some of that adversity stuff that happens in the middle of a game we've played through it. We've seen it, so being able to fight through it helps."

Aycock attacked the Eagles off the dribble, forced Rosewood to settle for long jump shots and made 10 of 14 free throws during the final four minutes. Greg Williams' jump shot with more than 2 1/2 minutes to play gave the Golden Falcons the lead for good, 45-43.

"When we force things like we did in the first half, it is a problem," Moats said. "When we play unselfishly, which we did really well in the second half, we play a lot better."

The Eagles attempted 3-pointers on five of their final seven possessions and made just one as Dee Mabry's 3-pointer with 70 seconds left cut the deficit to 49-46. Rosewood would get no closer as Aycock sealed the win at the free throw line.

"They made more shots in the fourth quarter than we did," Rosewood head coach Daniel Mitchell said. "Even at the free throw line they shot it at a high percentage. That was the difference in the game. You can't catch up if they are going to make their free throws when you put them on the line."

Aycock plays host to Goldsboro on Friday, while the Eagles play host to Midway.