Unbeaten Warrior girls pay visit to Aycock on Friday

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 15, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Look past the county rivalry. Focus upon yourself and the team's success.

It's the message Eastern Wayne head varsity girls' basketball coach Phil Gray and Charles B. Aycock head coach Roy Harrell have delivered during their respective practices this week heading into Friday evening's clash in Pikeville.

Tip-off is approximately 6:30 p.m.

"I'm trying to get the kids out of (playing) the county rivals as being their big game," Gray said. "I told them to look at every game they're playing as their big game. We have to get our minds right on fixing the things we need to fix as we prepare for the next team.

"Then we focus on that team."

Harrell has the same philosophy.

The Golden Falcons don't plan to adjust their game to the Warriors. Just like Gray, they'll attempt to do what they do best and challenge the opponent to stop it.

"So far, it really hasn't been stopped," said Harrell, who is the fifth different head coach to guide the Golden Falcons' program since 2008.

"There have been times where we haven't executed and it's stopped us. (But) Friday night we might get shut down."

The No. 6-ranked Warriors (14-0 overall) manufacture a county- and Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference-leading 18.7 steals out of their relentless pressure defense. Their pick-pocket style leads to a fast-paced tempo that either withers or breaks their opponent's will.

Eastern Wayne's top four thieves are Shontel Monk and Megan Mozingo, who each average 4.1 steals a game; Tianna Christopher (3.7) and Jasmine Covington (3.1).

They'll present a challenge for 5-foot-4 guard Mookie Powell. Harrell has praised his sophomore for her decision making throughout the season, and her ability to draw extra defenders when she dribbles into the lane.

The key is to get the ball into the hands of CBA's big three -- Myleah Jones, Taylor Daniels and Ashley Darden. The trio combine for 37 points a game and help control the boards along with 5-9 forward Alexis Bynum -- the second-tallest player on the team behind Darden.

Of course, they'll have to contend with EW center Naheria Hamilton underneath the basket. The 6-3 junior has a tremendous wingspan that has led to a conference-leading 9.1 rebounds and 5.8 blocks. Gray wants to see Wynn, who grabs 7-plus boards an outing, establish a stronger offensive presence in the paint.

"I think it's going to be a tough battle, they've got a great team, obviously to be unbeaten in a conference like this," said Harrell, who played football for the late Jack Holley at Wallace-Rose Hill.

"We're going to have to go out and play our best game to have a chance to be in it. I hope it's a good ballgame."

The series is knotted at 12-all since 2004, but the Warriors have triumphed in five of the last seven meetings.