SBMOP WINTER CLASSIC: Goldsboro finds 2nd-half energy

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 28, 2016 9:57 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- Neither Goldsboro nor Rosewood seemed too concerned about style points Tuesday evening.

The county rivals had the same goal: get a win.

And the Cougars did.

Jaryan Hargis pumped in 15 of his game-high 17 points during the final three quarters and Goldsboro handed Rosewood a 57-38 loss on day one of the 2016 Southern Bank/Mount Olive Pickle Winter Classic contested Tuesday evening.

The Cougars (5-4 overall) snapped a two-game skid and face Wayne Christian in semifinal-round action today. Tip-off is 6 p.m. inside Kornegay Arena at the University of Mount Olive.

Rosewood (0-8) faced South Lenoir at 2:30 p.m.

"I thought we came out very flat in the first half," Goldsboro head coach Russell Stephens said. "We can't continue to do this. We're searching for our identity, but we've got to continue to play quick and we've got to continue to get better defensively.

"I think that was the key for us in the second half."

Floor general Chance Howard directed a slower-paced tempo in the opening half, which flustered Goldsboro. The Eagles displayed patience on offense and didn't allow the Cougars to establish an inside-outside game on the defensive end of the floor.

Rosewood led 12-10 after eight minutes.

Scrappy play on both ends of the court induced a ragged second quarter that ended on Hargis' 3-pointer as time expired.

Goldsboro, fueled by Stephens' usual fire-and-brimstone manner in the locker room, found some energy at the break. The Cougars became more active on both ends of the court in the second half.

Guard DJ Gaddis carved his way through the Eagles' defense to the basket. Ronnie Tookes (nine rebounds) crashed the boards and Hargis provided the offense in transition off turnovers.

The Cougars collected six third-quarter steals.

"We had a hard time in the second half keeping them in front," RHS head coach Daniel Mitchell said. "They were getting into the painted area, and either getting all the way to the goal or setting up (an) offensive rebound opportunity.

"Really once they started getting out in transition a little bit with us turning the ball over, it changed the game."

Goldsboro extended its 10-point lead to as many as 18 in the final period. Mitchell said frustration is starting to take its toll on his team, but added they must compete at a higher level, pay attention to detail and work together as a unit.

Howard emerged as Rosewood's top scorer with nine points. Jonathan Peacock provided seven points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Tucker Chapin knocked down seven points and Noah Grantham scored six.

Rosewood is 1-3 all-time in Classic play.