GIRLS' BASKETBALL: EW's defense be-devils South Lenoir

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on December 15, 2016 9:59 AM

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Eastern Wayne 45, South Lenoir 38

* For Eastern Wayne, sometimes the best offense is a good defense.

Not just any defense -- but one that swarms to the ball, dives after each loose ball and creates utter havoc to the opposing squad.

South Lenoir fell victim to all three components Wednesday night as the Warriors clinched a 45-38 victory over the Blue Devils. It was EW's seventh win in eight tries this season.

"All I can say is, give credit to South Lenoir," said EW head coach Michael Gurganus. "...They came out and punched us right in the mouth. We responded well, but they came out ready to play."

It was clear from the beginning that the game was going to be an offensive struggle for the Warriors and Blue Devils. South Lenoir scored the first basket of the game at the 4:51 mark of the first quarter.

After the opening quarter, South Lenoir held an 9-8 lead.

That's when EW began to ratchet up its defense.

The Blue Devils committed nine turnovers in the second quarter alone, and allowed the Warriors to take a 9-3 run heading into halftime.

"I told the ladies that the intensity level needs to go up on defense," said Gurganus, referring to his halftime message. "I said we had to know the rotations on our press."

The message was good motivation for the Warriors. It didn't turn out so well for the Blue Devils, however.

EW outscored South Lenoir 15-3 in the third quarter, and forced 10 more turnovers in those eight minutes. The Blue Devil's only basket was a 3-pointer from South Lenoir's leading scorer Hunter West.

West -- who entered Wednesday night averaging 17 points per game -- did not score until the second half. She finished with 12 points.

"I wish we would come out like from tip-off," Gurganus said. "And we're still working on it."

The Warriors were led by Nyesha Best who tallied 18 points, two assists and three rebounds. Treycie Ford added 10 points, three assists and six rebounds.