Goldsboro takes battle of cross-county rivals

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 5, 2014 1:50 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

A double-digit loss to perennial 2-A basketball powerhouse Kinston sent a mental warning to head Goldsboro basketball coach Russell Stephens.

He relayed that concern to his team -- don't expect Eastern Wayne to back down from a challenge.

The Warriors gave their cross-town rivals fits for two-plus quarters Thursday evening. But the Cougars' experienced backcourt, foul trouble, fatigue and a thin bench proved the difference in Goldsboro's 98-67, non-conference victory.

"They were hanging around," Stephens said of the Warriors, who surrendered 99 points to Kinston just two days earlier. "When you play rival schools, they're not just going to come and lay down because you've got 'Goldsboro' on your shirt. I told our guys we want their best game, that's the only way we're going to get better.

"We had a packed crowd in here tonight and they were ready to play."

Unbeaten Goldsboro (4-0 overall) grabbed its biggest first-half advantage, 33-22, with 4:40 remaining before intermission. Eastern Wayne closed the gap to 35-30 on Zeke Martin's offensive putback after a miss underneath the basket.

Martin led all scorers with 27 points.

The Cougars reeled off seven of the next 10 points and entered the locker room with a 42-33 lead.

"We talked about it in practice (Wednesday) they're very smart," EW head coach Chris Roberts said. "When you have guards that are very smart and seasoned, then you have to play them smart. We couldn't give Myron (Carmon) the 3-point shot and Ya-Ya (Rasheen Artis) will drive (to the basket), which he does well."

Eastern Wayne trailed 44-39 early in the second half, but couldn't keep the momentum. Foul trouble surfaced, Roberts called upon younger players to eat up minutes and the Warriors couldn't successfully defend Goldsboro's transition attack.

Carmon and Artis combined to score 32 second-half points as the Cougars developed an offensive rhythm. Stephens' squad put together a quick 17-7 run to make it 61-46 with one minute remaining in the third quarter.

"The guys played hard, they broke our will a little bit," Roberts said. "Our legs wore down, our foul trouble got us and we're just trying to keep everything together. Some of the younger guys had to play more minutes than usual."

Carmon led four Cougars in double figures with 25 points, while Artis contributed 22. Jaylin Thomas supplied 16 points and seven rebounds, while Taylin Davis provided 10 points in a reserve role.

Blake Poland knocked down 21 points for EW.