GIRLS' BASKETBALL: Rose scores last-second basket to beat EW

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on January 4, 2017 9:59 AM

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It looked a lot like March Madness.

Kentasia Street scored on a layup with 2.7 seconds remaining in regulation, then watched as Eastern Wayne's last-gasp heave at the buzzer narrowly missed, giving J.H. Rose a calendar turning, 55-53 triumph over the Warriors on Tuesday night at New Hope.

The tournament-inspired victory moved the Rampants to 4-8 overall and 3-1 in Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference matters this season.

Courtesy of point guard Castar Braswell, Rose explored the paint with poise throughout the opening stanza. When not finishing her own drives at the rim, the senior was busy finding frontcourt pillar Arnasia Williams, who logged a tone-setting eight points in a brisk, end-to-end first quarter.

Street handled the rest.

The senior announced her presence early and often, altering shots and snaring a quartet of first-quarter caroms. After eight minutes, Rose held a commanding 23-13 advantage.

Things got dicey for the Warriors in the second period, as Street continued her dominance amid a litany of fouls called on the blue-and-gold. In total, Rose attempted a staggering 24 free throws in the first half -- compared to just five for Eastern Wayne.

"I thought we started off flat," head coach Michael Gurganus said. "Out of sync... it just seemed like we couldn't find it tonight."

At the break, Rose led 34-25.

Matters changed in a breakneck third stanza, as EW's patchwork lineup found the throttle for its transition game and turned long rebounds into transition baskets. When Tammaria Smith connected from distance with two minutes left in the period, the Warriors held their first lead, 40-38.

It wouldn't last long, however.

Rose scored the final six points of the quarter -- led again by Street -- and took a four-point margin into the final eight minutes.

Which is precisely when it began to feel like spring.

The two teams shadow-boxed for the length of the stanza, with the best players from both outfits shining when it mattered most.

Myesha and Nyesha Best, hampered with four fouls apiece, found their way to a combined eight points in the session. Street and Braswell paced Rose, which struggled mightily to keep the Warriors at arm's length.

It was a battled joined until the buzzer.

With the game tied at 53 and the clock dwindling, Rose called its final timeout. After the reset, Braswell's live dribble gave her just enough room and time to locate Street under the basket, who converted the lay-in for a 55-53 advantage.

Eastern Wayne's last-second attempt -- an on the move, in-form three-pointer from some 30 feet -- struck the back iron and glanced toward the rafters. When it settled to the floor, the Rampants had emerged victorious in a tilt many in the stands were calling an "instant classic."

"We got a great look," Gurganus said of the finish. "It just didn't fall tonight."

Street finished with 11 points and 18 rebounds for Rose, and was complemented by Braswell, who logged 15 points. The Warriors were paced by the Best twins, who finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Weather permitting, Eastern Wayne (11-3 overall, 1-2 ECC) travels to D.H. Conley on Friday.