Saints earn regular-season split with EW girls

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on February 10, 2016 1:48 PM

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DUDLEY -- Consistent.

Methodical.

Trustworthy.

Those are just a few of the words Southern Wayne coaches use to describe Zaria Atkins, and on Tuesday night, she affirmed their praise.

Scoring in a variety of ways, the senior guard registered a game-high 26 points and led the Saints to a hard-fought, 44-42 home victory over rival Eastern Wayne.

Buoyed by a partisan Saints crowd, the hosts jumped out to a 14-9 first quarter lead -- and frustrated Eastern Wayne star Naheria Hamilton.

Matching up out of various zone defensive packages, Southern Wayne (7-15 overall, 3-9 ECC) consistently double-teamed Hamilton's movement in the low post, at times making her receipt of an entry pass impossible.

"We were effective early, and got her frustrated," coach Takisha Vann said, "they (the Saints defenders) were just really at it tonight."

Hamilton, however, fought through Southern's game plan.

Shuffling in and out of the game due to foul trouble, Hamilton clawed her way to a triple-double -- 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 blocked shots.

It wasn't enough, however, to deny Atkins.

The Saints' senior, who has signed a national letter of intent to play for Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne (IPFW), worked efficiently within the offense for momentum-defining baskets all evening.

A three in transition. A cutting baseline layup. A mid-range jumper from the free throw line extended. After three quarters, the Southern Wayne held a commanding 36-22 advantage.

Then Myesha Best made things interesting.

The Eastern Wayne freshman played brilliantly in the second half, and drilled a 3-pointer from the right wing to make the score 40-35 with a minute left in regulation.

She would finish the contest with 14 points.

But Atkins, once again, made the affair academic, knocking down three of four free throws in the final 30 seconds to preserve the victory.

Her coach was pleased with her effort -- and a bit nostalgic.

"Zaria has been the glue," Vann noted, "and each year she's gotten better. The girls just love her and respect her a lot. She will be sorely missed."

But on Tuesday night, Atkins was victorious.