Goldsboro boys dominate Ayden-Grifton

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on January 22, 2016 1:48 PM

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Yes, it's defense.

No, it's offense.

The argument will never end regarding how teams win games, but Goldsboro's basketball team proved that both gameplans work. The Cougars scored 20 points or more in the first three quarters to defeat Ayden-Grifton, 89-65, in Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference action on Thursday night.

"I would say our defense, but offensively, we're shooting the ball really well," said head coach Russell Stephens. "We're starting to make a little bit more from the free throw line.

"We wanted to come out our third game of the week ... you know, we're home so we want to play fast. I thought we got out to a very good start, getting the ball at the basket. Our inside guys did a really good job tonight along with some good outside shooting."

But for offense to work, one's got to have the ball.

One minute into the first quarter, Goldsboro senior Kisheem Faison stole the ball and drove the court for a layup. Senior Nakia Atkins snatched the ball from the Chargers and assisted senior Myron Carmon with a 3-pointer.

Carmon took the ball from his opponent and drove the court for two more points. The Cougars led 25-15 at the end of the first quarter.

Senior Eric Bufkin assisted Faison with a 3-pointer, and Carmon stepped back to bury a 3 to start the third quarter, 51-28.

Senior Jayln Thomas lofted the ball up for Carmon for a slam. Two minutes later, Bufkin assisted Carmon with another dunk off of an inbounds pass.

Atkins grabbed a rebound and ran the length of the court for a layup. Atkins ran back on defense, blocked an Ayden-Grifton shot and Goldsboro led 75-49 after three quarters.

Stephens put his reserves on the court and they followed the starters' lead. Junior Jamal Cox made a field goal, and junior Jaryan Hargis blocked a Chargers' shot, which led to junior Daryl Gaddis' field goal.

Carmon ended the game with 15 points, and Faison recorded 14 points. Senior Jyrek Robinson added 12 points.

The Cougars (16-1 overall, 4-0 ECC) travel to Greene Central next Tuesday.