BOYS' BASKETBALL: Spring Creek TKO's Neuse Charter

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on January 28, 2017 11:11 PM

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jhayes@newsargus.com

SEVEN SPRINGS -- In boxing terms, it was a one-six-three-two.

The Spring Creek varsity boys' basketball team, embracing its inner pugilist on Friday evening, landed all four punches during a heavy-handed, 83-47 TKO of conference foe Neuse Charter before a faithful caucus at "the Swamp."

The classic display of heavyweight hoops moved the Gators to 14-5 on the season, and into sole possession of Carolina 1-A matters at 9-1.

And to say it escalated quickly is an understatement.

SC's first blow after the opening bell was a series of lightning-quick jabs to the telegraphed passing lanes of Neuse Charter, resulting in 12 first-quarter turnovers and a revolving-door layup drill on the Gators' end of the floor.

After eight breathless minutes, Spring Creek led 27-11.

The green-and-blue uppercut arrived moments later in the second stanza, when SC refused to rescind the terminal velocity of its stick-and-move game plan.

Additional pressure created more Gator rim runs, and when sophomore guard Dominique Morse connected on a triple to beat the first half buzzer, the fight was all but over.

SC 48, Neuse Charter dazed and stunned.

"We really challenged them today," said Gator head coach Taylor Jones of his troops, "we're 9-0 on the road, and 3-3 at home... simply put, we have to be better at home."

Suffice to say, they were.

The fight continued in a subdued second half, with the Gators' No. 3 haymaker -- a left hook in the form of a smooth-running half-court offense -- produced points in bunches.

In total, seven different players found the scorebook -- with all but one basket scored in or around the three-second area.

SC finished matters with a classic right hand in the fourth, emptying its bench and salting victory with appearances from every player.

The group effort also limited Neuse Charter to just a single field goal over the final eight minutes.

One-six-three-two.

Done and done.

"We were locked in," Jones said, "and turned their mistakes into points. From the very beginning, we set the tone that we were going to attack."

Senior guard Najee Young paced the Gators with 16 points. Silky smooth forward Jamerion Dawson added 13 points, while Cameron Jones provided 11 points and a staggering 20 rebounds. f

Neuse Charter (2-17, 0-10 Carolina 1-A) was paced by junior sharpshooter Connor Pulley, who sizzled the twine for 17 points -- including five three pointers. All-everything guard CJ Rouse added 12 points, while Jeffrey Wilkins netted 10.

Spring Creek returns to the ring next Tuesday, when league rival Princeton pays a visit to Seven Springs.