By By EUGENE L. TINKLEPAUGH, Staff Writer
YEATESVILLE — A pack of Redskins from Roanoke tracked and killed the Northside Panthers Tuesday. Black jerseys swarmed center court at the start of the boys basketball game as the Redskins in a pre-game hunting ritual, slapped and beat the Panther mascot logo. It would be a beating similar to the one the boys team would endure for much of the Tuesday night game.
The Panthers, stifled by the fast-paced Roanoke style, fell 82-78.
Roanoke built a comfortable lead in the first quarter and maintained it until a creeping Panther attack made it a ball game late in the fourth.
The Panthers (1-16) pulled within four in the fourth quarter, taking advantage of a sleeping Roanoke ball club. With minutes to play, the Redskins lit up a couple threes to build back a double-digit lead and secure the win.
Senior T.J. Slade was a one-man show, keeping the Panthers alive with 38 points for the game and several assisted buckets.
In the first half, Slade mustered 20 of Northside’s 32 points. Roanoke wouldn’t lose the edge until the game had 3 minutes left, and the Panthers found themselves out of time to mount a serious comeback.
Roanoke’s Dyquail Lloyd took control of much of the game, leading the Redskins with 21 points.
The girls game was unevenly matched, with the Redskins dominating even in the early moments when Roanoke’s offense seemed shaky.
The Panthers lost 61-29.
Roanoke held Northside to two points in the third quarter while the ’Skins went on a wild 26-point spree of fastbreak scores.
Emoni Jones led Roanoke with 22 points and rocked the boards all night.
Suzanne Lee led Northside with 8 points.
In the third quarter, Roanoke built a 10-point lead to a 30-point landslide. The ’Skins press forced back-to-back-to-back turnovers, fought for loose balls, beat the Panthers off the boards and aggressively went for steals despite the wide margin.
The Panthers play the Seahawks Friday night at Southside. Roanoke plays host to Williamston.
Roanoke 20 21 19 22 — 82
Northside 11 21 17 29 — 78
Roanoke (82)
Dyquail Lloyd 21, Altonio Higgs 17, Alonza Higgs 14, Green 9, Hyman 7, Griffin 6, Hudson 3, Spruill 3, Bryant 2.
Northside (78)
T.J. Slade 38, Calvin Cox 13, Dixon 9, Simmons 4, O’Neal 4, Martin 4, Pernov 4, Linton 2.
Girls
Roanoke 11 15 26 9 — 61
Northside 9 9 2 9 — 29
Roanoke (61)
Emoni Jones 22, Andrea Moore 11, Dolberry 6, Taylor 5, K. Roberson 3, Goddard 2, Hall 2, Holley 2, Land 2, Green 2, G. Roberson 2, Baker 2.
Northside (29)
Lee 8, Jordan 7, Meeks 4, Rodriquez 3, Alligood 3, Tetterton 2, Harris 2.