ECC 2A: Goldsboro boys miss key FTs late against Kinston

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on February 21, 2016 12:07 PM

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AYDEN -- Goldsboro's basketball players exited the locker room after the lights were turned off inside Bob Murphrey Gymnasium at Ayden-Grifton High School.

Players faced down, while some looked up to the ceiling.

All remained silent -- except one.

"Come out and fight them and play tough," said Cougars senior Myron Carmon, who anticipates a rematch against Kinston in the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs after a 65-60 loss to the Vikings in the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference tournament championship Friday evening.

"Free throws at the end. We need to make free throws at the end of the game," Carmon said, whose team missed four out of seven free throws in the final four minutes of regulation. Kinston made nine out of 10 free throws during that time.

Goldsboro tied the game at 28-all at halftime.

Senior Kisheem Faison entered the third quarter with a drive to the basket. Carmon sank a jumper. Senior Nakia Atkins stole the ball from Kinston and drove the court for a layup. Atkins grabbed the ball from the Vikings again and sprinted down the court for two more points.

Goldsboro trailed Kinston, 38-36, with four minutes left in the third quarter.

Carmon posted up at the top of the key and sank a 3-point dagger to pull the Cougars to within 44-43. Junior Ronnie Tookes dove on the floor for a loose ball, Atkins pulled down a powerful rebound and senior Eric Bufkin drove the lane and drew a foul. He sank both free throws and the Cougars led 49-47 after three quarters.

Carmon made a field goal and drove the lane, but drew a foul. He hit both shots at the charity stripe. Goldsboro led the Vikings, 53-52, with four minutes left in the game.

Bufkin drew a foul, but an official waved off one of his made free throws due to a lane violation. Senior Jaylin Thomas stole the ball and drove the lane for a layup.

Kinston led Goldsboro, 60-57, with one minute remaining in regulation. Carmon missed two consecutive 3s, and a Kinston guard ran the length of the court for a layup to end the game.

Carmon ended the game with 16 points. Faison added 13 points. Atkins scored 11 points.

"I think it was just one of those grind-out games," Goldsboro head coach Russell Stephens said. "Both teams were battling. I can't fault the effort for either team. Tough breaks, we had a chance to maybe hit some free throws there in the fourth. In a tight game like that, you got to be able to make them.

"Very balanced game. They (Kinston) were able to win it in the end. I'm proud of my team for battling all night, and we'll getting ready for the playoffs now."

Goldsboro (22-3 overall) drew the No. 10 seed and plays host to West Bladen in the opening round of the NCHSAA playoffs.