GIRLS' BASKETBALL: Lee's buzzer-beater lifts GC past Goldsboro

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on January 25, 2017 9:57 AM

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Khalicia Lee scored a team-high 12 points and made the decisive basket to lift the Greene Central varsity girls' basketball team past ECC 2-A rival Goldsboro, 48-47, capping a see-saw contest on Tuesday night at Norvell T. Lee Gymnasium.

The road triumph represented the Rams' lone conference victory of the season, and moved their record to 3-14 overall.

But it wasn't easy.

Leading 28-23 at the break, Greene Central lost its poise in a manic third stanza, committing 11 turnovers and scoring just five points.

On the contrary, Goldsboro flourished during that span, finding its touch from beyond the arc and getting offensive production from five different players.

After three periods, GHS led 36-33.

Greene Central turned matters around in the fourth, however, behind the play of senior Kaliya Sutton. The sophomore scored six points in the paint and controlled matters on the glass, providing the Rams critical extra looks on the offensive end.

As it turns out, they would need every one of them.

Following a bizarre exchange of turnovers in the final minute, Greene Central inbounded the basketball to Lee with 8.3 seconds remaining. Following a difficult catch, the senior raced up the right sideline, planted at 23 feet and ripped cord on a game-winning trey as time expired.

Lee's sterling effort was augmented by Makhala Jones, who scored 11 points. Sutton, who finished with eight points, also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.

Goldsboro (5-8 overall, 1-4 ECC) was led by sophomore Tziah Kelly, who scored 13 points and snared four rebounds. Destiny Lucas also tallied 13 points, while sophomore McKayla Roberts scored 12 points and hauled in six boards.

The Cougars are the guests of North Lenoir on Friday.