Foul-plagued Atkins sparks Southern Wayne girls

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on December 17, 2014 1:48 PM

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DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne's leading scorer Zaria Atkins watched much of the first half and a good portion of the third quarter from the bench in foul trouble.

If the Saints were going to pick up their second win of the year, the rest of the team would need to step up in her absence.

Along came Cierra Thompson.

The junior forward turned in her best game of the year with a double-double -- 12 points and 18 rebounds -- to help push Southern Wayne past North Lenoir 59-46 on Tuesday.

"It says a lot about those girls," Atkins said. "It's really important to know that if I come out they can keep us in the game."

But with the game on the line and North Lenoir trying to make a run in the fourth quarter, Atkins was on the court and she took over. She scored eight of the Saints' last 10 points -- six from the free throw line.

Atkins finished with a game-high 20 points.

"That's my responsibility when the game is on the line to try and take over like that," Atkins said.

Faith Gurley added 11 points off the bench for the Saints, who improved to 2-5 overall heading into their Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference opener at home Thursday against Charles B. Aycock.