SBMOP WINTER CLASSIC: Saints top Gators

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

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Heat check.

Conceptually, it's boundary testing, and applies to hoopsters finding their rhythm within a game -- then attempting what likely fails to meet the meticulous guidelines of the coaching staff's tried-and-true game plan.   

Maybe it's a quick shot out of a timeout.

Perhaps it's mustard-laden action around the basket, in dense traffic, with a teammate wide open in the short corner.

Then there's the one-on-two, pull-up 3-pointer in transition -- because nothing says look-at-me more than a compromised fast break.

And if there was a player qualified to examine the limits of basketball's popular catch phrase on day two of the Southern Bank/Mount Olive Pickle Winter Classic, perhaps it was Southern Wayne point guard Bless Thomas.

The senior guard was electric from buzzer to buzzer, scoring a game-high 22 points and leading the Saints to a livewire-inspired, 61-51 victory over Wayne County foe Spring Creek.

From the outset, it was clear Thomas had his A-game.

He opened the contest with a triple from the left wing, then followed it with two tough makes in transition. And until junior forward Shawtwon Leach made one of two free throws at the 2:54 mark of the first quarter, Thomas was the only player to score for the Saints.

And Spring Creek took advantage.

The Gators, known for their interchangeable nature and relentless pace, fired from distance early and often, connecting three times in the opening minutes and securing a 16-14 advantage after one quarter.

Anything considered free-flowing, however, promptly dissolved in the second period, as both teams suffered through a litany of fouls and a combined 18 trips to the charity stripe.

At the break, Spring Creek led 31-30.

Thomas resumed his star-turn in the third period, controlling matters with a secure handle, lightning quick bursts to the rim and solid shooting from distance. He also spearheaded a lockdown defensive effort, one that forced 10 turnovers and held Spring Creek to just eight points in the quarter.

"It hurt," SC head coach Taylor Jones said, "Their pressure and athleticism bothered us -- we didn't do the things that got us there."

The final stanza held more of the same, with the Saints playing keep-away over the final two minutes to preserve their fourth victory of the season.  

As heat-checks go, Thomas certainly could have tested the limits of his ability -- and his coach's patience, for that matter -- only he never did, opting instead for winning plays dressed in red and blue.  

"Bless is our energy guy," Southern head coach Dwight Smith said, "and we try to get him rolling... (he) came out and wanted to win."

Spring Creek, now 5-5, faces Rosewood this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Southern Wayne will tip-off against EC2-A league member South Lenoir at 4 p.m.