BOYS' BASKETBALL: Gators handle Wildcats

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on December 16, 2016 10:01 AM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Dominique Morse scored 14 points and keyed a breakout third quarter to propel host Spring Creek to a physically exhausting, 70-53 triumph last evening over Hobbton "The Swamp."

The matchup, marred by a total of 51 personal fouls, was the Carolina 1-A Conference opener for both teams.

Spring Creek opened matters decisively, using a variety of defensive pressure packages to limit Hobbton just one made field goal in the opening quarter.

Conversely, the Gators entered eight players in the scorebook during that span, an effort perhaps defined by a wholistic change to their pre-game ritual.

"We've started so bad this year," head coach Taylor Jones said. "So we changed our complete routine. We did shoot around different, we changed our lineup a little bit... and tonight we took better shots."

At the break, SC held a 30-20 advantage.

The Gators again pushed tempo in the third quarter, propelled by two early triples from Morse and several hit-ahead baskets in transition. The 24-point stanza created a comfortable working margin for the hosts, who then cruised to the final whistle.

Jamerion Dawson contributed 11 points for Spring Creek, and was joined by Landon Smothers and forward Tahj Edwards, who each filed nine points. Najee Young tallied eight points.

Hobbton (2-4 overall, 0-1) was led by senior guard Walter Thompson's 15 points. Omar Farrior and Josh Blue also netted 13 points apiece for the Wildcats.

Spring Creek (5-3, 1-0) returns action Dec. 27 against Wayne Country Day during opening-round play of the Southern Bank/Mount Olive Pickle Winter Classic.