SB/MOPWC: Parrott thwarts late Rosewood rally

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 29, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- One bad third quarter.

Again.

Rosewood converted one field goal during the eight-minute stretch and just couldn't recover in a 58-50, opening-round loss to Parrott Academy on day one of the third annual Southern Bank/Mount Olive Pickle Winter Classic on Monday evening.

The Eagles (1-7 overall) opposed Wayne Country Day in consolation-round play earlier today.

Parrott seized command with a 9-2 third-quarter surge as Rosewood failed to finish around the rim. The Patriots, behind Harrison McLawhorn and John Harrison, controlled the boards.

"We just had a lid on the basket, had some good looks open shots (that went) in and out, turned the ball over at some key times," RHS head coach Daniel Mitchell.

Kris Wooten's 3-pointer and Patrick Mayo's two free throws helped extend the Patriots' advantage to 41-26 barely a minute into the fourth quarter.

Rosewood finally caught fire from the perimeter. Mike Woodard assisted Zack Barnes on a 3-pointer, and Barnes returned the favor as the Eagles climbed to within 46-41 with 3:08 left.

Parrott (6-5) responded with a 7-1 run that included an old-fashioned three-point play by Mayo, who got free on the back end.

"That really broke our back," Mitchell said. "We played really hard to cut it to five points, but when you get behind, it takes a lot of effort. We need to play with that kind of effort in the third quarter.

"If we do that, then maybe we don't dig ourselves in a hole like we did."

Barnes pumped in a team- and game-high 28 points, while junior Noah Grantham provided 10 points in a reserve role.

Wooten and AJ Banker collected 19 and 11 points apiece for the Patriots, who triumphed in Wells Gulledge's return to Kornegay Arena. Gulledge is a UMO grad and enshrined in the school's Hall of Fame.