FEATURE: Who's in the playoffs?

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on February 17, 2017 10:02 AM

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So, who's in?

That's a good question, depending on who you might ask.

Fans from all walks in all programs throughout Wayne County have strong opinions regarding their school colors, and it may be wise to expect more pontification than resolution when posing that wringer.

Scenarios, it seems -- some simple, some fantastically complex -- are more stylized than ever.

And with the dialogue around who-beat-who and by-how-many residing on the brain this time of year, it's sharp to consider what many a selection committee will, in some form or fashion, lean upon when consensus brackets begin breaking down over the weekend.

What have you done for me lately?

With that in mind, let us consider a few area teams that have attempted to do just that -- for better or worse.

Boys

Eastern Wayne

The Warriors finished in economic style, winning four of their final six games -- including victories over D.H. Conley, J.H. Rose and twice versus county rival Southern Wayne.

Freshman Wesley Case has emerged as a solid contributor, and backcourt mates Eric Agee and Yeonte Royal have more than enough firepower to anchor coach Bill Manning's team.

As winners of the ECC 3-A conference slate, EW is safely in the postseason.

The question remains -- how much of a run can they make?

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Spring Creek

A no-brainer.

The Gators won early, won a lot and are poised to make a rumble in the postseason.

Head coach Taylor Jones guided his rotating shuffle of ball-handlers, defenders, rebounders and shooters to a 12-2 mark in Carolina 1-A play and further, into the league's tournament final tonight against nemesis James Kenan.

Expect the Creek's draw to be decent, and its odds to shine from there favorable.

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Goldsboro

Well, look who crashed the party this week -- an old friend.

In what many have considered a rebuilding year, the Cougars have endured their share of ups and downs this season -- until late Wednesday night.

Trailing early to highly-touted Imajae Dodd and Greene Central at the ECC 2A extravaganza in Deep Run, GHS resurrected its playoff hopes with a distance-shooting clinic that iced the Rams, set Twitter on fire and got restored order to the universe.

Rebuilding year?

Right.

Girls

Eastern Wayne

The Lady Dubs won their final three regular-season contests, then defeated neighborhood rival Charles B. Ayock, 57-51, to start the ECC 3-A tournament.

Can you say lock?

At 17-8, indeed you can.

First year head coach Michael Gurganus has led the bench with poise beyond his years all season, and it will be interesting to watch him conduct matters when the playoffs properly commence.

*

Princeton

Let's see.

Carolina 1-A regular-season champions? Check.

A walk-through to the league's tournament final tonight at North Duplin? Check.

Cue up a home game for the Bulldogs, who are peaking under head coach Paula Wooten -- or have been, depending on who you ask.

Well done, ladies.

Your ticket has been punched a good while now.

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Rosewood

What in the world will the Lady Eagles do without you-know-who?

Just win, evidently.

There should be no question regarding this year's 15-10 team, but for good measure, it broke up the playoff band last night in Calypso with a stirring, come-from-behind triumph over Neuse Charter at the Carolina 1-A league tournament.

You know, just in case.

Head coach Tee Wooten has creating a disciplined offensive outfit, one that runs set after set and simply makes you defend forever.

In a word, tough.

And keep eyes on sophomore guard Braylee Butts -- RHS will go as far as she can take them.

*

Charles B. Aycock

2016-2017 has been a roller-coaster campaign for the Powder Blues and coach Tangela Faulkner.

Her team is blessed with passing (Tanika Powell), scoring (Cassandra Lassiter and Powell) and rebounding (Arlanda Faulkner), but a lack of depth has hampered them all season.

Some projections have them between the 14-16 line, but we'll have to wait and see.

Someone will even probably ask of them -- what have you done for me lately?