By Staff
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
WINTERVILLE — Maybe playing for the third time in four days caught up with Washington.
Both Pam Pack boys and girls teams fell behind 9-0 in their respective games to South Central, and both ended up on the losing end of double-digit losses. The South Central girls posted a 72-52 victory and the Falcon boys pulled off a 71-55 win in the Coastal Conference clashes.
South Central’s junior varsity boys started the sweep with a 53-40 nod.
James Carlton’s slam dunk gave the Falcons (7-0, 4-0) an early 2-0 lead in the boys game, and it was certainly a sign of things to come. South Central ended up getting 22 points off 11 dunks, including five monstrous slams from Antwan Burrus, who led all scorers with 25 points.
Washington hurt itself by hitting just 4 of 20 from the free throw line.
For what is growing to be a nasty trend for the Pam Pack (4-2, 0-2), Washington got out of the blocks slowly. South Central went up 9-0 on a 3-pointer by Carlton (12 points) before pushing the lead to 13-3 on the first of five Burrus jams. The Falcons went up by as many as 14 (17-3) in the first quarter.
Washington got behind by 15 midway through the second, but Brandon Tripp (eight points) got inside to help spark a 10-2 run to close the half. Taraja Langley’s layup off a sweet steal and dish from Boris Jankovic made it 33-26.
South Central regrouped and came out firing bullets in the third quarter. A handful of fast-break opportunities allowed the Falcons to put together a 9-2 run, going up 52-36.
Jarees Griffin’s slam pulled Washington within 11 points (54-43) early in the fourth. However, Griffin, who finished with 12 points, was whistled for a technical on the play, as he pulled himself up on the rim.
Seconds later, Griffin was whistled for another technical and was sent to the locker room. His status for Tuesday’s home game against West Craven is questionable.
Tripp, another big body inside for Washington, fouled out with six minutes to play with the Pack trailing 54-45. Lawrence said losing Griffin and Tripp hurt, especially with his team still within striking distance.
Dakuan Spencer, who led the Pack with 13 points, hit a jumper to make it a 10-point game, but dunks by Cameron Garrison, Burrus and Carlton sealed the deal.
Lindsey Harris added 10 points for Washington.
Girls drop third straight
Washington dropped its third straight game with the loss to South Central.
Pam Pack coach Allison Jones wouldn’t use having to play for a third time in four days as an excuse.
Janesha Ebron paced South Central with 21 points, while Shavonte Mills had 13 and Amber Clark 12.
Jordan Cantrell led the Pack with 16 points, while Harmony Simpkins netted 15 and Teamber Burke 14.
The Falcons (7-0, 4-0) built the 9-0 lead and held a 15-7 advantage over the Pack (2-3, 0-2) at the end of the first quarter.
Danielle Butts got inside for a layup midway through the second quarter to cap a 15-2 run, giving South Central a 30-9 advantage. Washington rallied as a 10-0 run, which included 3-pointers from Cantrell and Simpkins, pulled the Pack within 37-28 at the half.
A 14-3 South Central spurt in the third pushed the Falcon lead to 20, 51-31.
The Pack couldn’t overcome the big deficit.
Washington played without junior guard Hayley Stowe, who was out with an illness.
Burke did her part to help offset the loss of Stowe. The freshman added 11 rebounds to go with her 14 points.
The Pack plays host to West Craven in Tuesday’s Coastal Conference clash.
Washington 7 19 13 16 — 55
South Central 19 14 19 19 — 71
WASHINGTON (55)
Dakuan Spencer 13, Jarees Griffin 12, Lindsey Harris 10, Langley 8, Tripp 8, Horton 2, Ward 2, Moore, Albritton, Jankovic.
SOUTH CENTRAL (71)
Antwan Burrus 25, James Carlton 12, Cody 9, Harper 8, Garrison 7, Taylor 6, Clark 2, Ross 2.
Girls
Washington 7 21 13 11 — 52
South Central 15 22 24 11 — 72
WASHINGTON (52)
Jordan Cantrell 16, Harmony Simpkins 15, Teamber Burke 14, Grice 5, Batchelor 2, Burbage, R.Cantrell, Langely, McIver, Palmer.
SOUTH CENTRAL (72)
Janesha Ebron 21, Shavonte Mills 13, Amber Clark 12, McCorkle 9, Harris 9, Butts 4, Love 3, Wyatt 1.