Warriors overcome flat start against Kinston

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on December 13, 2014 11:26 PM

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By ALLEN ETZLER

aetzler@newsargus.com

Tianna Christopher knew changes would have to start with her if Eastern Wayne wanted to go where they thought -- and still think -- they can go.

"My attitude (last year) was some crap," Christopher said bluntly. "I knew I would have to change that if we were going to better."

Christopher has always been one of the most talented players on the Warriors roster, and she was just as good last year as she is this year. But she was "cocky" at times, according to her coach Phil Gray. She had break downs on the court because her passion for the game engulfed her.

But this year she has channeled that passion, and erased those breakdowns, into leadership to provide energy to her team.

So, when Christopher stole a pass near midcourt and drove through three girls for a layup near the end of the first quarter, and pumped her fists, yelling "let's go" to her teammates, it was the spark her team needed.

They listened.

From there, the Warriors (6-0) outscored Kinston 46-14 in the second and third periods on their way to a dominating 67-46 win over non-conference opponent Kinston on Friday night.

But without Christopher's spark, there's no telling what could have happened.

"We were flat," she said. "Too flat. Last year when we came here we lost really bad, so I don't know if it was nerves or what ... But that's my job is to get them pumped up. There's a lot of people who contribute but I feel like my job as a leader is to bring them the energy."

Energy wasn't all she brought Friday. She brought 20 points and eight steals, as Eastern Wayne forced 31 turnovers and had 24 steals.

The Warriors dominating two-quarter run featured a third quarter in which they outscored Kinston 28-2. Eastern's Waynes full court trap mangled the Kinston ball handlers, making it difficult for them to even get the ball past halfcourt.

"They scored two points?" Christopher said. "Oh shoot. I didn't know that. That's pretty good."

Only pretty good.

The Warriors had four girls finish in double figures, as Jasmine Covington scored 11 second-half points and had eight rebounds. Naheria Hamilton had 11 points and Megan Mozingo scored 12. Hamilton added 11 rebounds and four blocks, while Mozingo had six assists.

Chelsea Wynn just missed a double-double for EW as she finished with seven points and 11 rebounds.

"I think having Chelsea down there with (Hamilton) opened things up for us and made it so (Hamilton) didn't feel like she had to do all the work (down low) on her own," Gray said.

The Warriors didn't need much low post play in the second half, however. Most of their offense -- including a span of 10 straight points -- came on steals and transition baskets.

"Once we start running we usually can wear teams down," Gray said.

Jada Faison led Kinston with 15 points.

Eastern Wayne starts conference play on Tuesday with a matchup against South Central at home.