By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
The gym floor said Washington but on Tuesday night it belonged to South Central as the Falcons’ boys and girls swept the Pam Pack in convincing fashion.
South Central’s center/forward Antwan Burrus poured in 24 points and was a menace in the paint as he led his team to an 84-60 win over Washington.
South Central, the No. 11th ranked 3-A team in the state upped its record to 15-1, while the loss put the Pam Pack’s playoff hopes in jeopardy as it dropped Washington’s record to 8-7 (2-6).
The Pack hung tough early on thanks to a big first quarter by Jarees Griffin and Taraja Langley.
The two accounted for 11 first quarter points, and kept Washington within a bucket of the Falcons with the score 19-17 after the first eight minutes.
Griffin led the Pam Pack with 24 points, while Langley netted 13.
It was only a matter of time before the Falcons tall frontcourt and physical style imposed its will on the game.
After a Pack bucket tied the game at 29 midway through the second, the Falcons ripped off a 12-0 run to head into halftime up 41-29.
The Pack would never get any closer.
Lawrence said the Falcons change in defense sparked their second quarter run.
Lawrence said his team needs to bounce back immediately as it faces another Coastal Conference foe tonight when it squares off against West Carteret at home.
The Pam Pack skipper said a win tonight would go a long way in keeping the team in the playoff picture.
Falcons get defensive versus Pam Pack
There wasn’t any trickery or elaborate schemes, South Central, the No. 1 ranked 3-A team in the state just played stellar defense in its 71-41 win over Washington.
The Falcons’ guards made life miserable for Washington’s ball-handlers all night long as they created numerous turnovers which led to several easy buckets.
Danielle Betts had a stellar game for South Central as she led all scorers with 23 points, while Janesha Ebron added 11. The Falcons (17-0) had five players score eight points or better.
Washington on the other hand, struggled to get into any kind of rhythm offensively, and finished with one player over eight points as Harmony Simpkins netted 12.
The Pam Pack girls (6-9, 1-7) will try and bounce back tonight when they take on West Carteret.
South Central 19 22 22 21 — 84
Washington 17 12 8 23 — 60
Falcons (84)
Antwan Burrus 24, Donta Harper 20, Cameron Garrions 10, Carlton 6, Hilliard 3, Tatum 8, Cody 2, Clark 4, Ross 4, Taylor 2, Williams 1.
Pam Pack (60)
Moore 6, Jarees Griffin 24, Taraja Langley 13, Tripp 6, Harris 4, Chance 2, Godley 3.
Girls
South Central 17 22 22 10 — 71
Washington 8 10 10 13 — 41
Falcons (71)
Mills 8, MCorkle 8, Janesha Ebron 11, Amber Clark 8, Danielle Betts 23, Harris 4, Daniels 5, Miskel 4.
Pam Pack
J. Cantrell 5, Grice 6, Batchelor 3, Burke 4, Burbage 2, Harmony Simpkins 12, McKiver 3, R. Cantrell 4.