BOYS' BASKETBALL: ND's Britt drops in game-winning bucket

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on January 5, 2017 9:59 AM

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CALYPSO -- Crash by committee.

Such was the modus operandi Wednesday evening for the North Duplin Rebels, whose group therapy session on the glass resulted in a putback from junior forward Luke Britt with 2.9 seconds remaining in regulation to secure a helter-skelter, 58-56 victory over Carolina 1-A foe Neuse Charter.

Both teams engaged in a sparring match through the opening quarter, fighting for position in the half court and trying to establish an identity on the offensive end.

After eight minutes, Neuse Charter led 11-10.

Then the North Duplin glass patrol commenced.

The Rebels went to the boards with extreme urgency in the second stanza, limiting the Cougars to a series of one-and-done possessions and just six points in the quarter.

Senior Malik Cobb led the green-and-gold caucus, scoring four points and grabbing seven rebounds in a rugged eight minute span.

"We had to relax and play, get the ball inside," head coach Ricky Edwards said of the plan. "Let our big men touch it, get some offensive rebounds and putbacks."

At the break, North Duplin led 26-17.

The pace picked up marked intensity in the third period, as both teams played with greater fluidity and intensity. Neuse Charter was led by senior forward Jeffrey Wilkins, who operated against Britt and Cobb in the paint to keep the Cougars within striking distance.

His handiwork -- a seven point, four-rebound period -- was punctuated at the buzzer by CJ Rouse, whose banked 3-pointer from the right wing provided the Cougars a 37-36 advantage.

But it wouldn't last long.

North Duplin returned to its glass-eating plan to begin the fourth quarter, snaring caroms in bunches and converting opportunities in transition. Neuse again countered with Wilkins, whose acrobatic, twisting play in traffic led to a 56-all tie with 34.7 seconds remaining.

And the final act was pure hysteria.

After a series of perimeter passes by North Duplin, Cobb received a post entry near the free throw line. A spin move freed him along the right block, but his shot attempt clanged off the iron -- where it was secured and scored by Britt with just a shade under three ticks remaining.

Neuse Charter's game-winning attempt -- a three-quarter court heave in front of the North Duplin bench -- sailed wide, giving the Rebels a hard-fought two-point victory.

"It was a mighty good game," Edwards said of the tilt. "We were fortunate to win -- both teams played hard."

Cobb led North Duplin with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Britt finished with 15 points, six boards and a pair of blocks. Ricky Cameron displayed a solid floor game for the Rebels, notching 13 points.

Neuse Charter (2-9 overall, 0-2 CC) was led by Wilkins, who scored a game-high 26 points and secured 12 rebounds. Rouse also figured prominently for the visitors, tallying 14 points.

North Duplin (3-5, 2-1) is scheduled to visit Rosewood on Friday, but the game has been canceled due to possible inclement weather.