Taylor: Young Gators showing growth

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 24, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek head basketball coach Taylor Jones looked toward the court during one point in the second half and saw three freshmen mixed in with a sophomore and junior.

My, how things have changed.

Just one year ago, Taylor stressed with getting eight seniors considerable playing time and the experienced group led the Gators to a share of the Carolina 1-A Conference regular-season championship -- the first-ever title in program history.

One year later, it's a season of growing pains for youth-ladended Spring Creek, which dropped a 71-48 non-conference loss to Jones Senior on Monday evening.

"I thought we were much more resilient tonight," said Taylor, whose endured a lopsided, season-opening loss to South Lenoir on Friday. "When we came over (to the bench) late in the game, we were much more positive where the other night we kind of hung our head a little bit (and) that's just being you.

"(Tonight's) attitude, effort -- if we get this for 21 more games -- we've got a chance later on. We just have to get better and there's no doubt about that."

Will Rouse and Najee Young paced the Gators' offense with 12 points apiece. Dominique Morse chipped in 11 points. The trio combined for 11 rebounds, four assists, five steals and one blocked shot.

Rouse drew a charge.

"Will played a fantastic game tonight," Taylor said.

Spring Creek trailed by 10 points after the three quarters. Young closed the gap to 44-37 with a 3-pointer around the six-minute mark. Isaiah Nixon snared an offensive rebound, dished off to Rouse and Rouse passed to Young, who completed a conventional three-point play.

Morse's 3-pointer trimmed the deficit to 50-43.

Over the next 3 1/2 minutes, the Trojans (1-2 overall) broke open the game with a 14-1 run. Jones Senior executed in its transition game, dominated the offensive glass and converted 10 field goals.

"They've got some shooters, athletes that can drive and you know they're not going to give up playing at home," Jones Senior coach Tod Morgan, who coached at two Wayne County schools -- Goldsboro and Charles B. Aycock.

"I think our guys were patient on offense. we moved the defense a little bit, got the ball inside-outside, the way I like to see us play offense. We looked more like a basketball team, especially in the second half."

Janari Hill led all scorers with 22 points.