Youth, inexperience plague Cougar boys

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 25, 2004 2:01 AM

• Print
• Email

Youth and inexperience crept into Goldsboro High's basketball's game and led to critical mistakes against Washington's boys in Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference play Friday evening.

Two fourth-quarter turnovers, within a 15-second span, proved costly as the Pam Pack escaped with a 58-53 victory before a sparse turnout in the Cougar Den. Goldsboro slipped to eighth place in the nine-team league and if the tournament started today, would have to participate in a play-in game.

The Lady Cougars dissected the Pam Pack's zone press with ease in the opening quarter and sparkled in their transition game. Goldsboro, ranked No. 2 in the ihigh.com 3-A poll, held Washington to single digits for more than 10 minutes in an 83-32 win.

Goldsboro's varsities entertain Wilson Beddingfield next Thursday. The girls' game tips off at approximately 6 p.m.

Washington's boys went to a spread offense in the third quarter. The spacing created passing lanes, but the Pam Pack was helped by the Cougars' inability to effectively switch screens.

"We didn't do a very good job defensively in the third quarter," Goldsboro coach Randy Jordan said. "That's the bottom line. It wasn't anything they did offensively. We made adjustments in our zone at halftime and we didn't execute them.

"We made adjustments man-to-man at halftime. We didn't execute."

The Pam Pack scored the first seven points of the quarter. Shawn Bryant, Calvin Daniels and Tremayne Spencer -- who all scored in double figures -- each had uncontested baskets as Washington built a 13-point lead.

The Cougars (8-10, 3-8) clawed back into the game in the final period. They started controlling the boards and attacking the Pam Pack's defense, which led to possessions at the free throw line. Washington's double-digit lead dwindled to to 48-42 with about four minutes to go.

But impatience and not reversing the ball on the perimeter led to two consecutive turnovers. The Pam Pack (8-8, 4-5) cashed in both, boosting their advantage to 52-42.

Goldsboro went on an 11-6 run in the final four minutes. Adam Wright hit three outside shots and the Cougars were nearly perfect at the free throw line. However, Washington put the game away with steady free throw shooting of its own in the final half-minute.

"It was an outstanding fourth quarter," Jordan said. "I'm proud of their effort. I'm proud they didn't quit. But you can't play one quarter and expect to win a conference game in this conference."

Every Lady Cougar scored at least two points and grabbed at least two rebounds in their lopsided win. Four players combined for 17 assists on 32 field goals.

Washington (1-15, 0-9) opened in a 1-2-1-1 fullcourt press after it made its first basket. Goldsboro easily pushed the ball downcourt and got an uncontested layup. The Pam Pack used the defense sporadically when Cougar coach Gladys McClary substituted, but it still remained ineffective.

"This is the second part of the (conference) season so everybody gets better, including Washington," McClary said. "I wasn't taking a chance. I told them that when the game started, we were going to jump dead on them and that's what we did.

"They really played well. I'm impressed with what I saw tonight."

Goldsboro (17-1, 11-0) scored more than 20 points in the first three quarters. The Cougars led by 34 at halftime.

The 83 points was a season-high along with the margin of victory. Clintoria Bryant tossed in a game-high 22 points and handed out nine assists. Ashelyn James contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.

Boys game

Washington 13 11 15 19 -- 58

Goldsboro 9 10 7 27 -- 53

WASHINGTON (8-8, 4-5)

Jamar Moore 1 0 6-7 8, Shawn Bryant 7 0 0-3 14, Calvin Daniels 2 0 9-16 13, Nigel Rodgers 2 1 1-2 8, Lamar Smith 0 1 0-0 3, Tremayne Spencer 6 0 0-0 12, William Conner 0 0 0-0 0. TOTALS -- 18 2 16-28 58.

GOLDSBORO (8-10, 3-8)

Joe Daniels 2 3 0-0 13, De'onta Anderson 2 0 1-3 5, Josh Broadie 0 0 0-0 0, Adam Wright 2 2 2-2 12, Tavon Waters 0 0 0-0 0, Chris Jones 0 0 7-7 7, Brandon Grantham 0 0 0-0 0, Daquan Joyner 1 0 4-4 6, Ron Cannon 0 0 1-2 1, Adrian Collins 2 0 0-0 4, Ray Brinson 1 0 3-3 5. TOTALS -- 10 5 18-21 53.

Three-point baskets -- Goldsboro 5 (Jo. Daniels 3, Wright 2); Washington 2 (Rodgers, Smith). Turnovers -- Goldsboro 15, Washington 15. Total fouls -- Goldsboro 19, Washington 15. Fouled out -- Rodgers. Technicals -- none.

Girls game

Washington 4 9 11 8 -- 32

Goldsboro 21 26 25 11 -- 83

WASHINGTON (1-15, 0-9 ECC)

Mistie Anglim 0 0 0-0 0, Meredith Knox 2 0 0-0 4, Dakita Keel 3 0 0-0 6, Candace Cogdell 1 0 1-2 3, Jeri Bell 1 1 2-2 7, Lacresher Williams 0 0 1-2 1, Courtney O'Pharrow 1 0 0-0 2, Tanisha Boston 4 0 1-4 9, Donchetta Woolard 0 0 0-0 0. TOTALS -- 12 1 5-10 32.

GOLDSBORO (17-1, 11-0)

Chevoya Jackson 2 1 1-2 8, Helga Bryant 0 1 1-2 4, Shemika Hardy 2 0 3-6 7, April Reid 2 0 2-4 8, Nickie Garner 0 1 0-0 3, Clintoria Bryant 8 2 0-0 22, Mikeda Graham 3 0 2-8 8, Jessica Faison 1 0 0-0 2, Dominique Cherry 2 0 4-6 8, Ashelyn James 7 0 1-1 15. TOTALS -- 27 5 14-29 83.

Three-point baskets -- Goldsboro 5 (C. Bryant 2, Garner, H. Bryant, Jackson); Washington 1 (Bell). Turnovers -- Goldsboro 19, Washington 31. Total fouls -- Goldsboro 9, Washington 15. Fouled out -- none. Technicals -- Washington (six players on court).