Goldsboro boys rally, improve to 3-1 this season

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 5, 2012 1:48 PM

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Eastern Wayne capitalized on Goldsboro's foul trouble, Quavis Holloman's hot-shooting start and all-around physical play during the first eight minutes Tuesday evening.

Then Goldsboro got warmed up.

The Cougars erased the early deficit, grabbed a two-point lead at halftime and pulled away for a 72-61, non-conference victory before a standing-room-only crowd inside a sweltering Norvell T. Lee Gymnasium.

Rasheen Artis led four Goldsboro players in double figures with 16 points, while foul-plagued Damarian Henderson provided all 15 of his points in the opening half. Teammates Jaylen Moore and Julius Murphy chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Holloman, who transferred from Goldsboro to Eastern Wayne, collected 10 of his team-leading 14 points in the opening period. Malik Richard and Tavarise Hall logged 10 points apiece.

"They came out pumped up, especially Quavis," first-year Cougars head coach Russell Stephens said. "I thought he played tremendous that first half. We knew he could shoot the ball and we had a little talk at halftime about we knew he wouldn't stop shooting whether he made it or not.

"Defensively, for us we were giving up too many of the other easy baskets ... putbacks and not staying down on our feet."

Hall's offensive putback and Holloman's drive to the basket pushed the Warriors' lead to 16-9 midway through the first period. The teams traded baskets and a player-control foul on Henderson led to another basket, which extended the margin to 21-13.

Henderson closed the quarter with a 3-pointer off Artis' assist.

Goldsboro's guards began to attack the basket. The deficit dwindled and the Cougars moved in front 31-29 on Jamal George's offensive putback.

The Warriors trailed 33-31 at the break.

"We got out of sync, started turning the ball over, weren't boxing out on the boards, but we're going to get there," first-year Eastern Wayne head coach Glen Darden said.

The Cougars took command in the third.

Julius Murphy threw down a two-handed dunk from the baseline. Moments later, Murphy took an inbounds pass and rocked the gym with a one-handed, backboard-rattling slam.

Goldsboro led 48-38.

"Big plays and we were able to set our press after both of them," a grinning Stephens said. "That one-handed dunk ... I'm still at awe and ready to see the tape. That looks like some old LeBron James, Kobe Bryant-type stuff. I'm still not sure he did it.

"I don't think we gave that play enough credit, I really don't. I've never seen a high school play like that."

Anton Williams' 3-pointer off Holloman's assist pulled the Warriors to within 52-48 early in the fourth quarter. Consecutive offensive putbacks by Murphy and Artis helped stretch the lead back to nine points, 58-49, and the Warriors (2-2) never threatened again.