Pickle Winter Classic -- Southern Vance girls pull away against Saints

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 28, 2013 11:34 PM

• Print
• Email

Southern Vance 61,

Southern Wayne 49

* MOUNT OLIVE -- Senior guard Breona Jones poured in a game-high 18 points and led Southern Vance to a 61-49 victory over Southern Wayne in opening-round play of the inaugural Southern Bank-Mount Olive Pickle Winter Classic on Friday afternoon.

The Raiders reeled off the first 10 points of the game and never trailed against the Saints, who suffered just their second defeat in 11 outings this season.

"We just came out flat, won't focused and our press wasn't working," Southern Wayne head coach Ricky Lofton said. "Plus, they were more into it than we were, more hungry than us. We couldn't get back on defense and they beat our press.

"Everything we did today did not work."

Southern Vance owned a 36-34 edge in total rebounds, but claimed a decisive advantage on the offensive glass. Canaan Dale and Kechae Parker combined for seven fourth-quarter rebounds, including five on the offensive end.

Jones pulled down five rebounds, picked the Saints for five steals and dished out three first-half assists. Kechae Parker provided 11 points and five rebounds, while Kyanna Kearney contributed nine points, three rebounds, four steals, three assists and one blocked shot.

Rashyda Burwell supplied nine points.

Latrecia Johnson collected a double-double -- 15 points, 14 rebounds -- for Southern Wayne. Zaria Atkins recorded 15 points, four assists, four steals and two rebounds. Cierra Thompson scored eight points in her first appearance since suffering a concussion two weeks ago.

"It just wasn't our night," Lofton said. "Our girls didn't come to play and I know we're better than what we showed. You can't take anything from Southern Vance, they were ready to play."