Eagles defeat Gators for 2nd time in 7 days

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on January 7, 2016 1:48 PM

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Another back-and-forth game.

Another fight to the end.

Meeting for the second time in seven days, Rosewood turned back Spring Creek, 53-45, in their Carolina 1-A Conference boys' basketball battle.

Najee Young assisted sophmore Tahj Edwards on a 3-pointer, which gave the Gators a 38-35 lead to start the fourth quarter.

Rosewood's Noah Grantham answered with a 3-pointer off of an assist from Zack Barnes. Barnes hit the Eagles' next 3, off of an assist from sophomore Chance Howard, to tie the game at 41-all.

Marquail Al-montaser converted a layup and Tucker Chapin swished two free throws, which pushed the Eagles in front 43-35. Jamerion Dawson's pass to Edwards resulted in a basket and closed the gap to within 45-43.

Three minutes remained in regulation.

Howard drew a foul and made both free throws. Chapin drove the lane, drew a foul and sank both shots, and the Eagles outlasted the Gators in the end.

Barnes ended the game with 17 points. Grantham had 12 points, and Howard added 11 points.

"It was back-and-forth," Rosewood head coach Daniel Mitchell said. "It was heated game, and both teams wanted to get a win."

Young recorded 20 points, and Dawson had 14 points.

"We played them (Eagles) last year, twice, and both times last year it came down to the last two possessions," SC head coach Taylor Jones said. "But tonight it was back-and-forth, but it just fell out."

Rosewood travels to North Duplin on Friday. Spring Creek is at home against Princeton.