Eastern Wayne girls hope there are no tears in Fayetteville

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on March 6, 2015 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

aetzler@newsargus.com

During his time at Eastern Wayne, Phil Gray has been to three eastern regionals.

"They've all ended with tears all over the place," Gray said.

It's time for that to change.

The top-seeded and unbeaten Warriors (26-0 overall) head to Fayetteville today for a semifinal-round game against Chapel Hill in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A eastern regional semifinals. Tip-off is 7 p.m. at the Crown Coliseum.

Admission is $9.

Two years ago, the Warriors -- with virtually the same team -- lost to West Craven in the regional semifinal at the Coliseum. They ended the season 28-2 overall.

"We are hungrier," senior Jasmine Covington said. "Last time we felt like we wanted it. This year, we know we want it. We want it not for ourselves, but for our community, for Coach Phil for everybody that is supporting us. We want it for them."

This season things are different.

There are no attitudes and no lack of cohesiveness. The team plays as a single unit.

"Our attitudes are a little better than that team two years ago," Gray said. "That's the big difference. Sometimes people in the community would bring that up how our attitudes were with the old Eastern Wayne. We want to shy away from that and be the new Eastern Wayne and bring a new culture."

Eastern Wayne's schedule includes win against Kinston, which reached the 2-A eastern final. D.H. Conley was one victory away from Fayetteville and Eastern Alamance is part of the 3-A final four.

The Warriors also defeated a team from Philadelphia, which they say, is the best squad they've played against this season.

"When you have wins against teams that are going deep into the playoffs it lets you know that you have played tough competition and beat them," Gray said. "It lets us know how good we are ... I feel like people know we are 26-0, but I don't feel like people know how good these girls are."

Gray hopes people find out tonight.

The Warriors thrive off of their strong defense and a fast-paced offense that likes to score off turnovers in transition. They're not going to change their game plan tonight, despite having a size advantage on Chapel Hill in the post.

Gray still wants them to play fast and aggressive.

And his players agree they have to play that style.

"We have to bring intensity. If we ever lose our intensity in the game it just brings everything down," Covington said. "If we all go out there and we are not just hype, then it's not Eastern Wayne. We have to just go. If we lose intensity it'll be hard to get the game back."

Obviously, the Warriors want to go to Fayetteville and win.

But they say it's also important for them to enjoy the experience.

"I'm most looking forward to playing with my girls in Fayetteville one more time," Covington said. "This is our last time in Fayetteville and we want to go out with a blast."