BOYS' BASKETBALL: Butler sparks Saints past Golden Falcons

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on January 25, 2017 9:57 AM

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PIKEVILLE -- Southern Wayne has a roster filled with athletic and lengthy players.

Throughout the season, that skill hasn't quite translated into victories on the court.

Tuesday night against Charles B. Aycock proved to be a different story. Displaying several glimpses of their potential, the Saints hounded the Golden Falcons in the second half, and left Pikeville with a significant 54-41 win.

Southern Wayne grabbed first place in the 3-A portion of the Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference.

"Well we turned up the defense," said Saints' head coach Dwight Smith. "And they responded when I challenged them in the fourth quarter."

C.B. Aycock finished the first quarter with a 20-13 lead, but the Saints' defensive pressure rose significantly in the following stanza.

The Golden Falcons committed five turnovers, and were held to four points in the second quarter.

Continuing its momentum, Southern Wayne grabbed a 30-29 lead in the third quarter. That edge was quickly extended after Rakilen Butler nailed two-straight 3-pointers.

"I like the way (Butler) shoots the ball and the way he has that leadership on the floor," Smith said. "We feel like we can win when he is on the floor. Leadership -- on the offensive and defensive end."

Butler scored seven more points in the fourth quarter, and helped Southern Wayne build a lead as large as 13 in the final frame.

The Saints' defense held the Golden Falcons to just five points in the fourth quarter.

"They got frustrated when they didn't get what they thought should've been a call," said CBA head coach Dave Elmore. "They hung their heads and tried to make up for it instead of turning it into positive frustration."

Butler led the Saints with 15 points -- 13 of which came in the second half. Semaj Yelverton paced the Golden Falcons with 12 points.

With two victories over CBA this season, Southern Wayne is in prime position entering Thursday's home game against county rival Eastern Wayne. Smith believes the win may provide the right amount of momentum for his team moving forward.

"I think it will spring board us," Smith said. "We've been in a drought, and I think they're excited about this win."