Atkins' shot sparks SW girls in 4th quarter

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on December 9, 2015 1:48 PM

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Three quarters down.

One quarter to go.

Southern Wayne senior Zaria Atkins hit a basket at the start of the fourth quarter, and the Saints took an eventual 56-51 win over the Rosewood Eagles on Tuesday evening.

"We just played like we knew how to," Atkins said. "I don't think the first three quarters were our best. Everybody put it together, and deep down, played like we knew how to."

They knew.

The Saints trailed the Eagles, 23-13, at halftime, but slowly inched toward their opponent in the third quarter.

Sophomore Takeitha Glaspie drove the court for a layup, and junior Kiara Wallace assisted Atkins with on basket. The Saints trailed 23-21.

Rosewood senior Lexi Mercer made a basket off of an inbounds throw. Mercer then cut into the middle of the lane and drew a foul. She sank both free throws. The Eagles led by six points.

The Eagles switched to a 2-3 zone and unable to penetrate the lane, Wallace assisted Atkins on a 3-pointer late in the third quarter. Atkins posted up at the top of the key for another 3-pointer with two minutes left in regulation.

Sophomore Jala Holloman drove in the lane for layup, and the Eagles trailed the Saints by three points. Southern Wayne (2-4 overall) held the ball for the remaining seconds until Atkins drew a foul and made both free throws.

Atkins ended the game with 28 points and was 8 of 8 from the free throw line. Junior Iyahna Bess had eight points, and Glaspie and freshman Samiya Bess shared six points apiece.

"It usually flip flops. We usually come out really strong and then finish weak," SW assistant coach Takisha Vann said. "I think, we come off our first win last week with Goldsboro, and we were kinda flat, and then we picked up again.

"We put it together. It came at the right time."

Mercer recorded 27 points and was 9 of 11 from the free throw line. Holloman ended the game with 11 points, and senior Alyssa Garrison had five points.

"We were plus-10 a couple of times, I know," Rosewood head coach Rick Grantham said. "They (Saints) have some good looking athletes on that club. Atkins can flat out play, and she had some good wingmen if you will.

"Our kids did the best they could. That's what I told them. They did their best."

The Eagles (2-2 overall) travel to Charles B. Aycock on Friday, while the Saints play host to North Lenoir the same day.