BOYS' BASKETBALL: Goldsboro eliminates South Lenoir

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 15, 2017 9:59 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

The uglier the better.

It's been a theme all season for Goldsboro's basketball team, and it proved fruitful again Tuesday evening.

Playing a variety of manic defenses that would make any opposing coach's head spin in confusion, the Cougars forced the Blue Devils into an up-tempo game that quickly turned a tight contest into a "yawner."

Jarrod Scott, Tyohn McKinzie and Isaiah Wilder did the damage.

The duo combined for 39 points as the fifth-seeded Cougars throttled the Blue Devils, 73-48, in opening-round play of the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference boys' basketball tournament Tuesday evening.

Goldsboro (11-11) meets regular-season champ Greene Central, unbeaten in 22 outings and ranked No. 3 in the state, today at South Lenoir. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m at Munn Gymnasium.

"I thought the first half we were playing a little too slow," said GHS head coach Russell Stephens, whose team outscored the Blue Devils 24-6 in the third stanza.

"The second half, we got out, got running. The game got ugly when we got going. That's what we like. We don't like a smooth game."

The Cougars created havoc with its 1-1-3, 1-2-2, 2-3 zone and trapping schemes which absolutely befuddled the fourth-seeded Blue Devils. Goldsboro shut down the passing lanes, rebounded and pushed the ball in transition.

McKinzie had six third-quarter points. Scott cleared the glass for nine rebounds -- three which led to six points on the offensive side. Wilder had four points.

Goldsboro's five-point halftime lead swelled to 54-31 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the third.

"The third quarter I thought we came out and played exceptionally well, shot the ball at a high volume and also defensively just got after it," Stephens said. "It was one of our better games that we've played all season."

Wilder led all scorers with 17 points. Jaryan Hargis provided 12 points. McKinzie scratched for 11 points. Scott, who fouled out with 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation, filed a double-double -- 11 points, 13 rebounds.

The Cougars blocked eight shots as a team and owned a 26-17 edge in made field goals.

Roger Monroe and Justin Dixon scored nine points apiece for the Blue Devils, who dipped to 12-12 overall.