GIRLS' BASKETBALL: Powell, Lassiter too much for Cougars

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on November 29, 2016 9:57 AM

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New season, same agenda.

That appears to be the modus operandi for Charles B. Aycock senior Mookie Powell, whose basketball acumen was on full display Monday night during the Falcons' 65-51 triumph over county foe Goldsboro High School.

And the clinic -- a 31-point, eight rebound effort -- began soon after the opening tip.

Anchored by the ball-handling of  Alexis Edmundson, Powell and fellow sharpshooter Cassandra Lassiter combined for three triples and 15 points in the game's opening six minutes -- which was exactly what first-year head coach Tangela Faulkner prescribed.

"That was the intent," Faulker said, "(Powell) and Cassandra work well together, and they created a lot of plays."

Goldsboro countered the early powder blue scoring wave with heavy doses of Destiny Lucas and Ikenya King, who provided solid play at the point guard slot and a significant presence on the glass.

At half, Aycock held a 35-23 advantage.

The third quarter saw both teams struggle with fatigue and foul trouble -- save Powell, who overcame both following a brief bit of counsel by her coach.

"I said to her, they're just as tired as you are," Faulkner said of the exchange, "I need the ball in your hands... get to the hole."

And that she did.

Pushing the ball with renewed energy, Powell worked efficiently and created clean looks for her mates, propelling Aycock to a 47-35 lead after three quarters.

Her best work, however, was staged in the fourth -- a stretch that was both manic and measured.

Goldsboro's Lucas led an early Cougar charge, dialing three times from distance to chip away at Aycock's lead. But Powell simply refused to be outdone, torching the nets for 11 points in the quarter and solidifying her team's early-season road triumph.

Backcourt mate Lassiter finished with 16 points for the Falcons, who also received 10 points from senior Destiny Washington. Edmundson and Cara Lenzi netted six and two points, respectively.

Goldsboro's Lucas led the Cougars with 24 points. Tziah Kelly enjoyed a stellar second half, finishing the contest with 13 points. Junior center King also figured prominently for the hosts, filing eight points and 18 rebounds on the evening.

Aycock (2-1) plays host to Rosewood on Friday evening. Goldsboro, now 1-2 on the season, will entertain county rival Southern Wayne.