BOYS' BASKETBALL: Third-quarter problems continue for CBA

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on December 8, 2016 9:57 AM

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PIKEVILLE -- C.B. Aycock head coach Dave Elmore had no issue with how his team fought after the opening tip.

Then the third quarter rolled along, and all the magic seemed to disappear in an instant.

The drop in performance created a gap that the Golden Falcons could never close in its 48-38 loss to the Hawks.

"We have to figure out our third quarter problems," said CBA head coach Dave Elmore. "For the last three games, we came out in the third quarter dead."

North Lenoir began the game on a 9-3 run, but the Golden Falcons fought their way back into the game.

CBA never trailed by more than four points in the first half, and briefly held a two-point lead in the second quarter.

"We were being patient (in the first half)," Elmore said. "Picking our spots and finding our guys. They kind of changed up on us from man-to-man to 1-3-1 zone, and we were able to get in the offense that we wanted depending on what they were playing."

The execution and patience evaporated in the third quarter. The Hawks opened the second half on a 10-2 run.

To begin the fourth quarter, North Lenoir used another 10-2 run to extend its lead to 51-36, a margin that was virtually insurmountable considering the struggles of CBA's offense.

"We didn't execute as efficiently," Elmore said. "We started turning the ball over and trying to do too much instead of taking what they gave us like we did in the first half."

Eli Batts led the Golden Falcons with 15 points. Javon Outlaw chipped in eight points.

CBA's upcoming game against Rosewood on Friday will be its third game in four days.

Elmore said he did not want not want to use fatigue as an excuse for Wednesday night's loss, but tired legs are something he hopes to avoid when the Eagles come to town.

"We're going to keep it light on their legs," Elmore said. "I know a three-game week is tough, especially after playing back-to-back nights... I'm not going to kill them. I want them to be well-rested to come back again on Friday and get a win."