Saints' half-court pressure bothers Eagles

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

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Rosewood, on occasion, struggled to cross halfcourt against Southern Wayne on Tuesday evening.

The Eagles couldn't solve the Saints' halfcourt press in a 59-56 loss.

SW junior Rakilen Butler assisted junior Cole Atwood with a 3-pointer to start the first quarter. The Eagles answered Marquail Almontaser's 3-pointer off of an assist from senior Jeremy Mercer.

The game tied at 6-all, but the Saints' defense built a wall at midcourt.

Junior Emmanuel Walker stole the ball, which turned into two more points for SW. Senior Chris Williams disturbed the Eagles' offense, snatched the ball and drew a foul, hitting both shots.

The Eagles trailed the Saints, 16-10, at the end of the first quarter.

Junior Quentin Carlton robbed Rosewood at midcourt that led to Terry Artis' basket on Williams' assist.

Senior Ethan Chapin drew a foul at half court and swished both free throws. The Eagles, using Chapin's method, reached the Saints within four points at 24-20 before halftime.

Almontaser drew a foul at half court and made both shots. The Eagles trailed the Saints, 30-26 at halftime.

Mercer assisted senior Zack Barnes with a 3-pointer, but the Saints' great wall of defense stood taller than ever during the next two quarters.

Carlton drove the lane for a basket, and senior Josh Graham assisted Walker in transition for a layup. Artis stole the ball at half court and scored two more points.

Barnes threw a backdoor pass to Noah Grantham for a layup, and the Eagles found themselves down by three at 59-56. Grantham passed the ball to Barnes for a 3-point shot, but the ball bounced off the rim.

Barnes ended the game with 24 points, while Chapin and Almontaser shared eight points apiece for Rosewood.

Atwood recorded 13 points. Carlton had 12 points, and sophomore Jakevious McCullen had seven points for Southern Wayne.