BOYS' BASKETBALL: Warriors knock off Cougars

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on December 21, 2016 9:59 AM

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bcoley@newsargus.com

Eastern Wayne has been through the growing pains this season.

Almost everything is new. The coach, the offensive plays -- heck, even the jerseys are new.

However, a month into the season, unfamiliar styles are turning into comfortable routines. No game displayed that better than the Warriors' 65-54 complete victory over Goldsboro on Tuesday night.

"We've worked so hard trying to execute offensively," said EW head coach Bill Manning. "It's been a real source of frustration for me, but everything is new to them. We're still developing that muscle memory in terms of what they need to do instinctively in the sets that we run."

Though the score was tied 33-all at halftime, it was clear that the momentum rested firmly on the Warriors' shoulders.

EW opened the second half with two consecutive 3-pointers. After that point, the Warriors' advantage never dipped below four points for the rest of the game. The lead even grew to 15 at one point in the fourth quarter.

The Warriors outscored Goldsboro 32-21 in the second half.

The Cougars managed only six made field goals in the final two quarters and their 54 points was their lowest output of the season.

"We got our shots," said Cougars' coach Russell Stephens. "We got the shots that we wanted, but there was a lid on that rim definitely tonight. I looked up at the clock, and we had like 48 points with four minutes to go in the game. That's not Goldsboro basketball."

EW's Yeonte Royal recorded a game-high 24 points and also grabbed six rebounds. Eric Agee added 16 points and seven rebounds. Goldsboro was led by Jaryan Hargis and Isaiah Wilder, who scored 10 and 13 points, respectively.

Both teams will be back in action next Tuesday. Goldsboro (4-4 overall) will play Rosewood in the Southern Bank/Mount Olive Pickle Winter Classic at the University of Mount Olive. Eastern Wayne (4-6) will face Wakefield in the Bunn Holiday Tournament.