CB Aycock bests Eastern Wayne

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on February 6, 2010 11:38 PM

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Senior-laden and battled-tested, Charles B. Aycock didn't falter as its lead started to evaporate in the midst of a hostile environment.

The Golden Falcons demonstrated composure while Eastern Wayne attempted a furious comeback in a 59-50 Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference win on Friday night in New Hope.

The Warriors used an 18-5 run to cut an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to five points twice in the fourth quarter. Aycock went for 6 for 10 at the free throw line over the final 3 1/2 minutes and scored six of the game's final eight points.

"I thought we showed a lot of composure the whole game," said Golden Falcons head coach David West. "We were able to hold our composure. I think that's the mark of a senior-led basketball team. No matter what level you're on if you've got your veteran players leading the way and showeing your younger players by their actions what needs to be done it makes coaching a whole lot easier."

Aycock played solid defense for most of the night and allowed just two Eastern Wayne players to score in double-figures. Lamar Best scored a game-high 20 points and Will White added 14.

"I liked our 1-3-1 zone in the first half," said West. "I think that created a lot of opportunities for us. I liked at times the way we were playing man-to-man."

The Golden Falcons appeared to have an answer for every one of the Warriors' surges. Aycock opened the game with nine unanswered points but Eastern Wayne fought back and trailed just 14-13 entering the second quarter.

The Golden Falcons responded with an 8-2 run to close the first half and led 31-20 at the half. Aycock forced 11 turnovers during the second quarter.

"It's a game of runs," said Warriors head coach Marvin Bowman. "Aycock has a really good basketball team. We could have knocked down a few shots and weathered the storm."

Tyheim Pitt paced the Golden Falcons with 16 points and nine rebounds. Brandon Winford chipped 12 points and eight rebounds and Isaac Ryals had 11 points.

Aycock (19-2, 7-1 ECC) completed a rigorous stretch of going unbeaten in three games in as many nights after snow forced scheduling changes.

"At the beginning of the week I can't tell you that I had three games on my mind," said West. "We're sitting there in the snow and we can't practice and you can't see your guys and you wonder what the heck they're doing. Then we come back on Wednesday and we practiced for about an hour before we played. I was really concerned about being rusty and having three games in a row. We're not the only one's that were rusty and we're not the only team that had three in a row. You just suck it up and go."

The Golden Falcons visit Triton on Tuesday while Eastern Wayne (10-8, 5-3) visits Southern Wayne.