GIRLS' BASKETBALL: Gators clamp down, surge in second half

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on February 14, 2017 9:59 AM

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jhayes@newsargus.com

PRINCETON -- Postseason success is a brutal examination of one's ability to win the small moments.

A loose ball here.

A second-chance basket there.

Making in-game changes regarding effort and strategy to offset what, despite one's best laid plans, isn't working.

The Spring Creek varsity girls' basketball team did all three on Monday evening, rallying from a dizzying first-half deficit to post a runaway, 53-39 triumph over James Kenan in first-round play of the Carolina 1-A Conference tournament at splashy Deacon Jones Gymnasium.

And easy it was not.

The Lady Gators started slowly, making uncharacteristic mistakes in the opening half that allowed Kenan easy opportunities in the paint and in the open court.

There were live-ball turnovers.

Telegraphed passes in the half court.

Missed opportunities around their own basket, most of which were secured by Tigers starting center Phylisha Holmes, who had 13 points and eight rebounds in the first 16 minutes.

"I didn't think we were mentally or physically ready to play," Spring Creek head coach Charlie Cotten said, "I didn't think we were present, and that's something we talk about all the time."

At the break, Kenan led 25-19.

Then Cotten's senior class -- the winningest group in school history -- dialed up its energy and flipped matters entirely.

Using a varied mix of defensive looks in the third period, the Lady Gators forced a litany of turnovers and began chipping away at the Kenan advantage.

Destiney Sutton tied matters at 30 with a steal and a layup to close the third quarter, and when Ashley Marriner nailed a triple in front of the SC bench to begin the fourth, the Lady Gators finally held a slim advantage at 33-30.

A question remained, however -- could they maintain it?

Cue Belinda Carson.

The freshman forward played with endless energy and moxie over the final eight minutes, pursuing rebounds with abandon and getting the better of her matchup with Holmes -- a game-within-the-game situation that was perhaps the most critical element in SC's comeback performance.

"I told Belinda, you have to give me some more energy," Cotten noted, "and we talked about how to play her (Holmes)... and she came through for us."

As did Sutton, who led all scorers with 20 points. Her play was supported down the stretch by Marriner, who filed a 14-point outing. Junior forward Jordan Lane chipped in four points and five rebounds, while Ivey Rouse netted four points.

Carson finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.

James Kenan (7-13) was paced by Holmes, who finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Shamiya Newkirk performed ably as well, recording seven points and grabbing eight boards.

It wasn't enough, however, to conquer an SC rally that was formed around an identity which has served the team well all season.

Bend, but refuse to break.

Persevere, don't pout.

Find a way to win the small moments.

"We talked about that in the locker room," Cotten said of his team's about-face. "I implored them to speed it up, turn defense into offense... find our rhythm."

Its task successfully complete, SC (13-10) must now travel to Calypso Wednesday evening for a matchup with regular-season league champion and No. 1 seed Princeton. Tip-off is 6 p.m.