Big second half propels Pack
Published 10:46 pm Friday, February 16, 2024
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The Washington boys jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the final regular season home game against Ayden-Grifton, then watched them take a 25-20 lead after the first quarter and a 44-40 halftime advantage.
The Pack stormed back to outscore the Chargers 42-17 in the second half for an 82-61 victory.
“We wanted to make them play fast in the first half because they don’t have much depth and we thought they would get tired,” Washington coach David Allewalt said. “We are in shape to play up tempo for 32 minutes and they didn’t have anything left in the second half.”
Washington finished the regular season 17-7 overall and 10-2, good for second place in the Eastern Plains Conference behind perennial powerhouse Farmville Central, while Ayden-Grifton ended 12-11 and 3-9.
Sophomore point guard Chaise Smith led five WHS players in double figures with 22 points. Junior Javon Williams had 18, senior Gary Payne scored 14, classmate Jerai Davenport had 13 and Jarryn Payne added 10.
Washington hosts 7th seeded North Pitt Monday at 7;30 in the first round of the EPC tournament.
The girls only had six player available and battled Ayden-Grifton to the final buzzer before losing 47-45. The Pack (218, 1-11) wiped out a four point half time deficit to lead 35-29 in the third quarter, only to fall behind in the final two minutes.
“We missed 22 free throws and that made the difference,” coach Stevie Green. “We battled to the end even though we were shorthanded and I’m proud of our effort.”
Senior Triniti Burke had a team-high 17 points, junior Avery Thomas had 13 and Freshman Inasia Ward had 11, including three thre-pointers.