Cougars' Tookes pulls down career-best 15 rebounds in win over North Lenoir

By Allen Etlzer
Published in Sports on January 24, 2015 11:27 PM

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aetlzer@newsargus.com

After playing for much of the season with an undersized roster, Goldsboro coach Russell Stephens looked to his bench for help in the post Friday evening.

He called upon Ronnie Tookes.

A sophomore who has worked his way into the starting lineup in recent weeks, had his best rebounding and defensive game of the season against North Lenoir. He scored just three points, but hauled down 15 rebounds in the Cougars' 78-47 rout of the Hawks during their Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference game Norvell T. Lee Gymnasium.

"I thought this was the best game he played guarding the basket which is where we've had to improve," Stephens said. "At Ayden-Grifton he did a pretty good job grabbing rebounds."

The game was never close as the Cougars set out to make a statement after the loss to Ayden-Grifton and before a big game against three-time defending state champion Kinston on Saturday.

"It was a tough loss in overtime," said Tookes, who practices going up to grab the ball at its highest point to help him get rebounds.

"We knew we had to come out tonight and be aggressive and we have to keep being aggressive (tomorrow)."

With leading scorers Rasheen Artis and Myron Carmon playing less minutes than usual -- and scoring a combined 18 points -- Goldsboro's reserves scratched in the scoring column. Nakia Atkins led the team with 15 points off the bench.

Jalin Thomas, who was developed into a consistent third option in the offense, pumped in 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds. D'Onte Russell added eight points.

The second unit, at times, looked better than the starters.

"They did a good job getting out in transition and using their speed," Stephens said. "We play a lot of guys anyway, but that was the gameplan to get those guys in. They all came off and brought energy to us which is what we wanted."

Stephens seemed especially pleased with Tyrique Tyson. He told the Eastern Wayne transfer to "show me something" and Tyson eventually responded with a tip-in slam dunk off of an offensive rebound.

"You know he's been struggling a little bit offensively and when you have a guy going through that you're looking for energy plays and he made a heckuva energy play right there," Stephens said.