Eagles silence Cyclones on basketball court

By Gabe Whisnant
Published in Sports on January 11, 2006 2:27 PM

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Wayne Christian School's boys and girls varsity basketball teams turned in a pair of solid defensive performances on their way to a sweep of Community Christian School of Wilson in Carolina Christian 1-A Conference play on Tuesday night.

The Lady Eagles started the evening with a 54-12 win as the Lady Cyclones (5-10, 1-6) managed just five field goals on the game against a mixture of defenses by the home team. Wayne Christian led 9-7 after the first quarter, before shutting out Community in the second quarter and outscoring the visitors 45-5 in the final three quarters.

Meanwhile, Wayne Christian turned in a balanced effort -- putting four players in double figures. Katie Daniels and Brittany Sullivan scored 12 points each, while teammates Michelle Krug and Brooke Norris tallied 10 points apiece as the Eagles (4-11 overall) improved to 3-4 in conference play.

"It may have not been our best overall game, but it was probably the best defensive game we've played all season ... for three quarters at least," Wayne Christian girls coach Lee Price said. "We've still got a lot of work to do on our offense. I still want to see us play a little better."

Callie Dixon finished with nine of Community's 12 points.

Wayne Christian's boys followed in similar fashion, never allowing Community to reach double figures in a single quarter, as the Eagles never trailed and won a low-scoring affair, 39-27.

T.A. Brannan proved to be the lone WCS player in double figures as he dropped in 12 points, including six in the first quarter.

For most of the game, the Eagles (8-7, 4-3) elected to play a methodical half-court offensive game -- rarely rushing a shot and using a lot of the clock. The strategy proved effective as WCS jumped out to an 8-0 lead and let its defense take it from there.

Using mostly an extended zone defense, the Eagles yielded just seven total field goals on the game and just two before halftime as it took a 20-11 lead into intermission.

"We usually press a lot, but we played a lot of 2-1-2 tonight. My guys are feeling a little tired, but I thought we played a really good defensive game," Wayne Christian boys coach Tim Brannan said. "When we keep teams low-scoring, we feel like we have a chance to win. When we get up in the 80s, we're going to struggle."

Community played much more assertive in the third quarter, especially on the defensive end, and was able to climb within four at 22-18 heading into the fourth quarter. A basket by T.A. Brannan proved to be the only points the Eagles could manage in the third.

Reserve guard Robert Anderson gave Wayne Christian a much-needed spark off the bench in the final quarter as he dropped in two crucial field goals, swiped two steals and dished out one assist to help guide a 10-0 run that covered the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. The spurt pushed the Eagles lead to 32-18, before Community's Jordan Davis tallied his teams first basket of the fourth with a 3-pointer with 1:45 left.

"If I had a game ball to give tonight, I would probably give it to him (Anderson)," Brannan said. "Not only did he score a couple of baskets, he set up somebody else and he didn't have any turnovers."

The Cyclones looked to extend the game by sending Wayne Christian to the line in the waning minutes, but the Eagles lead proved too much for the visitors to overcome.

Jordan Yelverton added seven points for Wayne Christian, while teammate Billy Smith controlled the glass for most of the night.

Zac Brake, who shot 9-of-10 from the free-throw line, finished with 11 points for Community.

The Eagles return to action on Thursday at home against Rocky Mount Prep in non-conference action, before facing Norlina at home on Saturday in a conference contest on homecoming night.

Girls game

Community 7 0 4 1 -- 12

Wayne Christian 9 16 13 16 -- 54

COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN (5-10, 1-6)

Callie Dixon 3 1 0-3 9, Madison Wheeler 1 0 0-0 2, Megan Bisette 0 0 1-2 1, Caroline Bailey 0 0 0-4 0, Azlynn Aycock 0 0 0-2 0, Sarah Moore 0 0 0-2 0. TOTALS -- 4 1 1-9 12.

WAYNE CHRISTIAN (4-11, 3-4)

Katie Daniels 5 0 2-2 12, Brittany Sullivan 2 2 2-10 12, Michelle Krug 5 0 0-2 10, Brooke Norris 2 1 3-4 10, Hope Bright 2 0 0-2 4, Danielle Pender 2 0 0-0 4, Shelle Anderson 1 0 0-0 2. TOTALS -- 19 3 7-20 54.

3-point goals -- Community Christian 1 (Dixon), Wayne Christian 3 (Sullivan 2, Norris). Turnovers -- Community Christian 25, Wayne Christian 18. Total fouls -- Community Christian 17, Wayne Christian 16. Fouled out -- Taylor (CCS), Daniels (WCS). Technical fouls -- none.

Boys game

Community 4 7 7 9 -- 27

Wayne Christian 10 10 2 17 -- 39

COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN (7-10, 2-5)

Zac Brake 1 0 9-10 11, Jordan Davis 0 3 0-0 9, Scott Joyner 2 0 0-0 4, Caleb Varnell 1 0 1-2 3. TOTALS -- 4 3 10-12 27.

WAYNE CHRISTIAN (8-7, 4-3)

T.A. Brannan 6 0 0-0 12, Jordan Yelverton 2 1 0-1 7, Adam Brannan 2 0 1-4 5, Nick Woods 1 0 2-2 4, Matt Davis 0 0 4-4 4, Robert Anderson 2 0 0-1 4, Billy Smith 1 0 1-3 3. TOTALS -- 14 1 8-15 39.

3-point goals -- Community Christian 3 (Davis 3), Wayne Christian 1 (Yelverton). Turnovers -- Community Christian 17, Wayne Christian 12. Total fouls -- Community Christian 17, Wayne Christian 10. Fouled out -- Varnell (CCS). Technical fouls -- none.