Goldsboro boys avenge Rocky Mount loss

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 3, 2007 2:34 PM

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Coming off a pair of disheartening losses in the prestigious Glaxo SmithKline Invitational, Goldsboro High gained some vindication -- and revenge -- Tuesday evening against Rocky Mount.

Senior guard Tim Kornegay flirted with career-high numbers and eventually tickled the twine for a game-high 38 points in the Cougars' 84-76 victory over the Gryphons. Goldsboro, which played before a sparse post-New Year's crowd, avenged a pre-Christmas loss to Rocky Mount and improved to 10-4 overall.

The non-conference matchup also marked the homecoming for Rocky Mount girls' coach Pam Gainey, who played at Goldsboro from 1982-85. Guard Deandra Brown pumped in a team-high 16 points as the Gryphons prevailed 54-38, and denied the Cougars a chance to spoil Gainey's return.

"I'm glad to be home," said Gainey, whose team completed its regular-season sweep of Goldsboro.

Riding a three-game road losing streak, Goldsboro's boys returned to the friendly confines of the Cougar Den where they've yet to experience defeat in five outings this season.

Kornegay constantly muscled his way past Gryphon defenders to the basket and came within one possession of tying his career high (41 points) set last season against Southern Wayne. Kornegay converted 13 field goals and shot 11 of 13 at the free throw line, including a 9 of 9 effort after the first quarter.

"His shot selection has gotten so much better," said Goldsboro High head coach Randy Jordan. "He's a great offensive rebounder, gets his body into position to make shots, tips the ball to keep it alive.

"Whoever gets Tim is going to get the steal of this recruiting class."

Kornegay's old-fashioned three-point play, which started off a Daquan Joyner steal and assist, gave Goldsboro a 63-52 advantage with one minute left in the third quarter.

Rocky Mount closed the gap to 65-57 and stayed within striking distance throughout the final period. The Gryphons trailed 71-63 with 6:32 left in regulation and pulled within 71-69 on Montrell Battle's layup off an inbounds pass.

Kornegay got whistled for an offensive foul on the Cougars' next possession, but Rocky Mount couldn't capitalize. The Gryphons misfired on three consecutive possessions and Kornegay tallied five straight points to push Goldsboro's lead back to 76-69.

"He's just a machine," grinned Jordan.

While Jordan gushed over Kornegay's effort, he quickly praised his team's defensive performance in the second half. Unlike their previous meeting, the Cougars defended well in transition and prevented the Gryphons' Tayshawn Mabry -- a freshman -- from taking charge in the fourth quarter.

Mabry finished with 27 points, but tallied a three-point play in the final eight minutes.

"We did a much better job defensively," said Jordan. "I thought we did a real good job on Mabry in the second half. We went to some multiple defenses that confused their guards, and we doubled down on him every time he touched the ball.

"We got three or four steals in a row off that. We threw enough bodies at him that he got a little flustered at the end."

Joyner complemented Kornegay with a 17-point showing, while Tim Hobbs provided 10 points. Eight Cougars scratched in the scoring column and combined for 33 field goals.

"I'm very pleased and that's a big win for us coming out of the Glaxo after playing the competition we played there," said Jordan. "The kids were disappointed that we lost two, but they knew they lost to two outstanding teams. The Glaxo and non-conference schedule that we played is only going to prepare us for the conference.

"That's the only thing that matters to us."

Goldsboro begins defense of its Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference regular-season title Friday at Tarboro High. The contest will feature two East Carolina signees -- Joyner and the Vikings' Jontae Sherrod.

The Cougar girls converted just four offensive possessions during a 16-minute stretch and suffered their fifth home defeat of the season. Danielle Irby poured in a game-high 19 points for Goldsboro, which fell to 2-11 overall.

Rocky Mount forced 30-plus turnovers and flourished -- at times -- in its transition game. The Gryphons yielded a seven-point run in the opening quarter, but answered with a 16-2 surge of its own to take the lead for good.

"I watched them in warm-ups and they shoot the ball well," Gainey said of Goldsboro. "I told the girls to make sure we get out (on the perimeter) and get a hand in their face. They've definitely improved."

The Gryphons led 31-15 at halftime and extended their advantage to 42-20 after three quarters of play.

Stephanie Allen added 11 points for Rocky Mount, which exited 7-5 overall. Dyonna Battle and Danita Whitehead contributed eight points apiece.

Six of seven Cougars registered in the scoring column. Carmille Early knocked down five points and blocked six shots, while Johneisha Maye provided five points.

"I had a coach ask me one time what would I give to have a nickel for every shot I ever made in this gym, including practice," said Gainey. "I'd have me a nice a little stash. I spent a lot of time here and this is where it all started."

Boys game

Rocky Mount 18 19 20 19 -- 76

Goldsboro 21 22 22 19 -- 84

ROCKY MOUNT (7-5)

Matt Cooper 2 4 2-2 18, Alonza Sharpe 0 0 5-8 5, Jurquige Richardson 1 0 0-0 2, Brian Goodwin 0 1 2-2 5, Charles Penny 1 0 1-2 3, Nick Hutchinson 2 0 1-2 5, Montrell Battle 5 0 1-2 11, Tayshawn Mabry 9 1 6-6 27. TOTALS -- 20 6 18-24 76.

GOLDSBORO (10-4)

Tim Kornegay 12 1 11-13 38, Burnie Best 1 1 0-0 5, Eric McLean 1 0 0-1 2, Jameson Wellington 2 0 0-0 4, Kevonta McDuffie 3 0 0-0 6, Tim Hobbs 5 0 0-2 10, Treme Boone 0 0 0-0 0, Daquan Joyner 5 1 4-7 17, Jamar Branch 1 0 0-0 2. TOTALS -- 30 3 15-23 84.

Girls game

Rocky Mount 16 15 11 12 -- 54

Goldsboro 9 6 5 18 -- 38

ROCKY MOUNT (7-5)

Stephanie Allen 5 0 1-2 11, Mariah Mooring 1 0 0-0 2, Alexis Farmer 1 0 1-6 3, Shomeka Henderson 0 0 2-2 2, Deandra Brown 3 3 1-2 16, Addie Keeter 1 0 0-0 2, Calle Dixon 1 0 0-0 2, Dyonna Battle 3 0 2-3 8, Danita Whitehead 4 0 0-2 8. TOTALS -- 19 3 7-17 54.

GOLDSBORO (2-11)

Carmille Early 1 0 3-5 5, Kiana Williams 0 0 0-0 0, Tiffany Burden 0 0 1-2 1, Danielle Irby 3 3 4-6 19, Johneisha Maye 1 1 0-0 5, Millicent Kornegay 2 0 0-0 4, Victoria Williams 2 0 0-0 4. TOTALS -- 9 4 8-13 38.