Spring Creek boys win "ugly" conference game

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on January 8, 2014 1:48 PM

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rhanchett@newsargus.com

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek likes to win ugly basketball games.

An excellent defensive effort enabled the Gators to defeat Princeton 47-41 in a Carolina 1-A Conference game.

"That's who we are as a team," Spring Creek head coach Taylor Jones said. "I thought we played very good defense the whole night and we slugged it out. If you are looking for a pretty, high-scoring game, it probably isn't going to be here.

"But, if you are looking for a close, hard-fought game in the fourth quarter, then we are the team to watch."

Chad Spurgeon ignited the Gators in the first quarter with a pair of jumpers as both teams struggled to find the mark. Spring Creek jumped ahead 10-6 after one quarter and pulled away 22-11 at the intermission.

"I bet we had somewhere between 12 to 15 turnovers in the first half," Princeton head coach Jeff Davis said. "We were playing out of control, not moving the ball. Normally executing the offense is what we do well. But not tonight."

Spring Creek (6-5 overall, 2-2 Carolina) started the second half with a 7-0 run and increased the lead to 18 points midway through the third quarter.

Princeton got a pair of 3-pointers from Michael Wooten as part of a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter that closed the gap, but the Bulldogs were never able to pull within one possession.

"I think we got a little tired and Princeton made a couple shots," Jones said. "But to our kids' credit, they didn't back down. They regrouped and won the game."

Spurgeon paced the Gators with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Brandon Gonzalez added 13 points and Malik Mitchell finished with 11.

Wooten, Colby Norris and Tanner Woodard each finished with 10 points for the Bulldogs.

Princeton (7-6, 2-2) entertains North Duplin on Friday night, while Spring Creek pays Rosewood a visit.